David Nakamura, Staff Reporter, Washington Post, 1150 15th Street NW, Washington D.C., DC 20071, (202) 334-7300, NakamuraD@Washpost.com

The public expects accurate and timely information regarding important environmental health issues. The media can meet this need with active, proactive, accurate and effective communication from and with public health professionals and government officials.

The lost opportunities and the potential consequences of the failure of health and regulatory agencies to provide timely and accurate information to the public are discussed. Effective communication approaches are discussed that public health professionals, environmental health agencies, and public utilities can utilize when faced with important environmental health issues.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize the advantages of proactive, accurate, and forthright approaches to dissemination and communication of critical environmental data.
• Understand approaches that emphasize timely analysis and communication of environmental data that can affect the health of the public.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employed by washington post