Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110502

Mansoureh Tajik¹, Patricia White², Steve B. Wing, PhD³, and Gary Grant². (1) UNC School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 319C Rosenau Hall, CB#7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, 919-966-8650, tajik@email.unc.edu, (2) Concerned Citizens of Tillery, P. O. Box 61, Tillery, NC 27887, (3) Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, UNC School of Public Health, CB # 7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

A proliferation of large-scale corporate animal operations and polluting industries in rural communities has led to rapid degradation of environmental conditions, deteriorating public health, and diminishing quality of life. In the affected communities, citizens remain the most vital force in countering adverse environmental and health impacts. Guided by the principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR), we explored citizens motivation and mechanisms for participation and action in communities with industrial hog operations using a series of semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Specifically, we: 1) describe how people living in close proximity to industrial hog operations manage activities of their daily living in chronic presence, or anticipation, of hog odor emanating from these operations; 2) assess what the presence of a hog operation and hog odor means to them and their community; and 3) determine what steps they take to mitigate their situation. The results of the study will be used by the local community based organizations (CBO's) to develop effective programs and workshops to better assist local citizens in their activism.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the articipant in this session will be able to

• describe several short-term and long-term strategies community members living near industrial hog operations use to mitigate adverse effects of hog odor;
• develop effective programs and workshops to encourage greater community participation and activism in rural communities;
• identify key characteristics of successful public health programs and policy actions.

Keywords: Community Participation, Environmental Justice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.