Community Environmental Health Research: Finding MeaningDavid M. Ozonoff, M.D. Project DescriptionAmong the most frequently requested types of assistance from state health departments by distressed communities fearful they are threatened by toxic exposures are "health studies." Yet when studies are done, communities are often unhappy with the results. It seems clear there are vastly differing expectations and understandings among practitioners and community members about what a health study is and what it can provide. The investigators propose to work with four groups frequently involved in community health study initiation, implementation and interpretation. The groups are, 1) academic researchers; 2) public health officials; 3) activist organizations and 4) community members. The goal is to educate and train all four constituencies in the needs and expectations of the others and to come to some common understanding of what is involved when we embark on "community health study." Specific Aims are as follows:
|
|