Public Perceptions of Environmental Health Risks in the United States

Abstract

Public Perceptions of Environmental Health Risks in the United StatesAbstract Number:1892 Mikyong Shin*, Lisa B Hines, Heather Strosnider, and Lina Balluz Mikyong Shin* Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Lisa B Hines Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Heather Strosnider Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , and Lina Balluz Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author AbstractUnderstanding perceptions about exposure to environmental hazards and the related health conditions can help environmental public health practitioners prioritize and target policy needs, community activities, and communication strategies. The ConsummerStyles© surveys were conducted in 2013 using nationally representative sample and included five questions related to the awareness and perception of environmental health issues as well as government efforts and resources for information. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated by logistic regression to evaluate demographic and regional differences in the level of concern and perceptions about environmental risks. The survey results showed that more than one-third (40.0%) were aware of government efforts to track environmental hazards and related health outcomes. More than half of respondents (57.8%) were concerned about the risks to their health from environmental pollutants. Blacks (aOR1.6, CI: 1.2-2.3), females (aOR: 1.5, CI:1.3-1.8), people with a college or higher education (aOR:1.3, 1.0-1.6), and people living in the Mideast (aOR: 1.29, CI:1.0-1.6) or South regions (aOR:1.5, CI:1.1-1.9) are more likely than their counterparts to be concerned about the environments effect on their health. Respondents were most concerned about chemicals in consumer products (48.7%), outdoor air quality (47.9%), and drinking water quality (40.7%). Respiratory illness (41.7 %%), asthma (36.6 %%) and cancer (31.8%) were selected as top three health concerns that respondents thought might be affected by the environment. These results provide information on the public’s perceptions of environmental health issues and can be used to improve communication messages to the public, prioritize additional contents for CDC’s National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, and identify gaps in awareness of common health issues associated with environmental exposures.