The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69458

Myrna J Candreia, MA¹, Regina Lundgren², and Regina Lundgren². (1) Community Health Partners, Inc., 2570 Mirror Lake Court, Colorado Springs, CO 80919, 719-388-8835, mjcandreia@adelphia.net, (2) Technical Consultant and Trainer, 1142 W. 14th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99337

From late summer of 2000 through late summer of 2002, 16 cases of acute lymphocytic childhood leukemia were diagnosed in current or former residents of Fallon, NV. Federal and state agencies, and the local community of Fallon joined together to conduct the most extensive cross-sectional exposure assessment and pathways study conducted in the last 20 years into a cancer cluster investigation. This presentation will provide lessons learned about the coordination of a multi-agency investigation involving several federal and state agencies, and local government and community groups.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the stages of a health hazard investigation;
• Identify the roles of the agencies and the needs of the community at each stage;
• Identify issues of communication; and
• Discuss "bridging the communication gap" between science and the community.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.