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ETD Abstract Container

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How Are Environmental Health Risks Communicated?

Belford, Angel
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1148305230

Abstract Details

2006, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, English/Technical Writing.
The problem that I will examine is the gap between expert communication and public perception, which interferes with effective environmental risk communication. This thesis will investigate the communication of mad cow disease, experiences from an expert in environmental health, and public participation information from the Ohio EPA web site to show what we have learned about communicating health risks to the public. My case study analysis of mad cow communication, interview with an environmental expert, and web site analysis of the Ohio EPA reveal how this gap is created using statistics, and ineffective public input. There are several challenges facing governmental agencies and experts who communicate information to the public. Government agencies have the primary responsibility for risk communication, specifically those agencies having authority over a broad range of health and environmental risks. These agencies already have the legal authority to manage risks. Agencies need to determine who is responsible at the state, federal, and local levels and assign groups to communicate information to the public. Some experts believe that knowing more about the current scientific research would calm the public’s nerves in matters of risk. But it is very difficult communicate this to non-expert audiences. One way to communicate risks is for technical communicators to get the public’s opinion through surveys and interviews, and give this information to the experts. Technical communicators can investigate the audience (the concerned public) about their view of health risks. Experts can use technical communicator’s skills and experience with audiences in distributing information to the public.
Andrew Mara (Advisor)
Environmental Sciences
public; BSE; mad cow; Ohio EPA; beef; HEALTH RISKS; ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISKS

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Belford, A. (2006). How Are Environmental Health Risks Communicated? [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1148305230

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Belford, Angel. How Are Environmental Health Risks Communicated? 2006. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1148305230.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Belford, Angel. "How Are Environmental Health Risks Communicated?" Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1148305230

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1148305230
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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.