Before the completion of an exhaustive review of the scientific evidence regarding occupational illness among workers in the US nuclear weapons complex by the National Economic Council, there was no national consensus on the existance of these illnesses. The process of conducting this review, accompanied by public hearings held by the Department of Energy in many of the communities in which weapons plants were situated, contributed both to a paradigm shift in the recognition of these conditions and to passage by Congress of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2001. Results from medical surveillance programs and epidemiologic studies alone were not sufficient to cuase this pardigm shift. These findings had greater importance (in terms of influencing policy) when accompanied by the histories and "testimonials" of individual members of these populations. This may serve as a useful model in shaping advocacy efforts in other occupational and environmental health issues.
Learning Objectives: Not Given
Keywords: Occupational Health, Chronic Illness
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.