Grantee Research Project Results
2022 Progress Report: Participatory Design of Effective Risk Communication about Wildfire Smoke for Hard-to-Reach Populations.
EPA Grant Number: R840239Title: Participatory Design of Effective Risk Communication about Wildfire Smoke for Hard-to-Reach Populations.
Investigators: Neuhauser, Linda , Ivey, Susan L , Su, Jason
Institution: University of California - Berkeley
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: September 1, 2021 through February 29, 2024 (Extended to August 31, 2024)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2021 through August 31,2022
Project Amount: $988,740
RFA: Interventions and Communication Strategies to Reduce Health Risks of Wildland Fire Smoke Exposures (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Wildfires , Air Quality and Air Toxics
Objective:
The objective of this research is to address gaps in risk communication for hard-to-reach and at- risk populations. This objective will be accomplished by the following aims:
1) Create new, more precise modeling of CA wildfire smoke risk data; 2) Conduct needs assessment of wildfire smoke risk communication; 3) Use participatory design to develop/revise risk communications and dissemination strategies for hard-to-reach populations; and 4) Test effectiveness of new/revised risk communications and dissemination strategies.
The results of Year 1 activities are expected to improve California’s risk assessment and risk management capabilities related to wildfire smoke exposure. Dissemination of these results could improve risk assessment and management capability in other US states.
Progress Summary:
Aim 1. Health Research for Action center (HRA) is using Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT) modeling to model PM2.5 concentrations for California communities. Once a specific location and time of interest is entered into the model, defined as the receptor, the model follows theoretical particles backwards in time, using meteorological wind fields and velocities. The model then calculates influence footprints (the area upstream of the receptor) and estimates emissions. Currently, HRA is creating models of PM2.5 concentrations for at-risk populations of interest in California.
Aim 2. HRA reviewed 50 key wildfire smoke communication resources developed by local, state, and federal public health organizations that are relevant for Californians and assessed 19 items using a validated health literacy tool, the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM), a standardized tool with 22 criteria within six domains (Content; Literacy Demand; Graphics; Layout and Typography; Learning Stimulation and Motivation; and Cultural Appropriateness); or the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audio Visual Materials (PEMAT A/V), which has 26 criteria in two domains (Understandability and Actionability). Five met a high standard, with 4 print materials registering a “Superior” grade on the SAM, and 1 video scoring in the higher range of PEMAT-AV. The remaining 14 materials lacked strategies to promote reader comprehension. Few materials seemed designed with hard-to-reach audiences in mind.
Additionally, HRA conducted a review of peer-reviewed literature to examine peer-reviewed publications on materials or programs to reach lay audiences with messages/risk communications about wildfire smoke. After screening 451 records, 21 articles were included in the final sample. General categories of findings were: 1) Communications materials and messaging; 2) Communication strategies and dissemination methods; 3) Motivating behavior change; 4) Communications for vulnerable populations. We identified a large gap in published literature about wildfire smoke risk communications created with and for vulnerable populations; existing information was limited or overly general. Few articles featured full evaluation of programs or materials. We are preparing a manuscript of the results.
Aim 3. HRA assembled a stakeholder advisory committee (SAC). SAC members were surveyed about the communication needs of their communities related to wildfire smoke, and their suggestions for the most effective methods, formats, and languages for communicating with members of their community. The survey results informed planning for the design thinking workshop, a format used to generate potential solutions when an issue is complex and/or has many stakeholders. HRA and design firm IDEO held the design thinking workshop where SAC members met in person to brainstorm ways to educate their respective communities about the health hazards of wildfire smoke. Current focal communities are the Hmong community in Butte and Fresno counties, the farmworker community in Fresno County, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in Alameda County and other areas, and people with asthma.
HRA collaborated with California’s Right Care Initiative (RCI) to create and present a 2-hour continuing medical education (CME) session on health effects of wildfire smoke. The session was attended by 104 health professionals and researchers, including other EPA STAR awardee personnel. The session covered content about pulmonary, cardiovascular, and metabolic effects of air pollution and wildfire smoke, pediatric asthma and exposures to particulate matter, pollution, and wildfire smoke, best mask use during a wildfire smoke period, and best practices in sealing off homes to wildfire smoke.
Future Activities:
Aim 1. HRA to create new techniques to analyze wildfire-smoke risk exposure and high-risk groups in CA using STILT dispersion modeling system on Oracle Cloud, Fire INventory from NCAR (FINN) emissions inventory, NASA High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) data.
Aim 2. HRA to submit a manuscript of literature review findings. HRA environmental scan authors will propose existing high quality communications about wildfire smoke exposure for use in the focal community groups, and help to identify communication gaps to address.
Aim 3. HRA is working to add a representative stakeholder(s) from California’s Tribal Nations interested in risk communications about wildfire smoke to the SAC. Based on findings from the design thinking workshop, HRA will work with each current focal community group to identify priority needs for communications, help develop and/or revise communication materials, and promote their dissemination. HRA will help to disseminate the CME session video.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Community-based, smoke exposure, air quality, risk management, emergency preparedness, environmental justiceRelevant Websites:
N/A
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.