Challenges to Superfund community nutrition programs in Kentucky

Abstract

Since 2000, the University of Kentucky's (UK's) Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP) Community Outreach Core has provided support and guidance through Superfund Community Action through Nutrition (SCAN) programs, which meet the needs of individuals and communities affected by environmental contaminants. It has been shown that nutrition may modulate the toxicity of Superfund chemicals. SCAN programs integrate nutrition education, nutrition science research, and health communication to increase understanding of health risks associated with residing near Superfund sites. Two critical tasks must be accomplished. SCAN personnel must identify and recruit affected community members, and then, offer meaningful programs. Certain quantitative outcome measures and legal issues presented both challenges and opportunities. Community members preferred qualitative evaluation discussions, which showed increased knowledge and improved attitudes following SCAN programs. SCAN, in full partnership with affected communities, translates safe, effective nutrition information to reduce health risks associated with exposure to Superfund pollutants.

Analyzing patterns of community interest at a legacy mining waste site to assess and inform environmental health literacy efforts

“…This communication strategy has a low rate of success, primarily because communities historically do not trust regulatory officials and scientists (White et al, 2014; Senier et al, 2008; Gaetke et al, 2008). Additionally, such outreach models generally do not involve the community in a meaningful way, as they fail to 1) modify participation formats to community characteristics and needs or 2) provide multiple formats for public participation.…”

Pecunia Non Olet: Dirty Money as Legal Fees

“…It was the first time that heavy sanctions could be imposed on persons who knowingly provide services and goods in exchange for dirty money, without having the intention to promote the original criminal activity. 27 Lawyers in the US were alive to the risks posed to them by §1957. They understood that by practising their profession, they faced criminal conviction if the state could prove that they were implicated in some form of monetary transaction involving criminal proceeds in excess of $10 000.…”

“…28 They were aware, too, that the original §1957 extended to criminal lawyers who deposit fees knowing that their clients have generated the money from crime. 29 The US legal fraternity was not prepared to accept this situation docilely and raised numerous objections to §1957, arguing primarily from the right to legal representation entrenched in the Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution.…”

Nutrition and Other Protective Behaviors Motivated by Environmental Health Risk Awareness

“…Translating this science-based nutrition research to protective public health nutrition recommendations and behaviors for those exposed to environmental insults is a fairly new concept, but shows promise for those affected [11 – 13]. This nutrition message is the basis for devising community nutrition and environmental health education programs, especially for communities with proximity to federally designated hazardous waste sites.…”