This project examines how health departments (federal, state, and county) communicate with local residents during the investigation of suspect cancer clusters in their communities.

Every day in the United States, on average, three communities reach a sufficient state of alarm to call their state health department for assistance in the investigation of a suspected cancer cluster-an unusual and unexplained increase in the occurrence of cancer in space and time. State health departments investigate about a third of these complaints in one way or another, but find that very few cases (about 1%) feature suspect cancer rates, and almost none present a causal link to environmental carcinogens. Yet public concerns typically persist despite such reassurances. The subject of this project is the continuation and expansion of an established research project designed to examine the social and psychological circumstances surrounding citizen-initiated cancer cluster investigations, with an emphasis on two aspects: the effects of state health department communications, and the experiences of citizens and officials in public meetings held during these cases. This is a study of risk perception, risk communication, and public participation in risk analysis and decision making.

To date, 30 communities nationwide have participated in the mail survey portion of the study. At present, we have completed our more detailed study of participation in public meetings in seven communities, four of which were included in the original sample of 30. This study included attending public meetings in each of the seven communities, and following up with a mailed questionnaire to community residents who attended the public meetings, as well as a sample of 500 individuals randomly selected from the community who did not attend the public meeting. We also have conducted a content analysis of newspaper coverage of the public meetings in each of the communities to assess other possible influences on community members` attitudes toward the potential cancer clusters. At present, we have provided Fact Sheet reports back to approximately 100 questionnaire respondents who asked to see the results from their community. We have also posted copies of the Fact Sheets from all of the communities on the project`s home page, so that people can compare their community`s experience with other communities` experiences. Finally, we have provided health officials who assisted us with the project copies of Fact Sheets relevant to their community. At present, we are in the process of submitting scientific papers based on the data analysis for presentation at professional and academic meetings and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

We are unable to assess changes at this time.

community empowerment in environmental management

• Craig Trumbo
• John Besley