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Vien MH, Ivey SL, Boyden H, Holm S, Neuhauser L. A scoping review of wildfire smoke risk communications: issues, gaps, and recommendations. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:312. [PMID: 38281022 PMCID: PMC10822163 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17681-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wildfire smoke exposure has become a growing public health concern, as megafires and fires at the wildland urban interface increase in incidence and severity. Smoke contains many pollutants that negatively impact health and is linked to a number of health complications and chronic diseases. Communicating effectively with the public, especially at-risk populations, to reduce their exposure to this environmental pollutant has become a public health priority. Although wildfire smoke risk communication research has also increased in the past decade, best practice guidance is limited, and most health communications do not adhere to health literacy principles: readability, accessibility, and actionability. This scoping review identifies peer-reviewed studies about wildfire smoke risk communications to identify gaps in research and evaluation of communications and programs that seek to educate the public. METHODS Four hundred fifty-one articles were identified from Web of Science and PubMed databases. After screening, 21 articles were included in the final sample for the abstraction process and qualitative thematic analysis. Ten articles were based in the US, with the other half in Australia, Canada, Italy, and other countries. Fifteen articles examined communication materials and messaging recommendations. Eight papers described communication delivery strategies. Eleven articles discussed behavior change. Six articles touched on risk communications for vulnerable populations; findings were limited and called for increasing awareness and prioritizing risk communications for at-risk populations. RESULTS This scoping review found limited studies describing behavior change to reduce wildfire smoke exposure, characteristics of effective communication materials and messaging, and communication delivery strategies. Literature on risk communications, dissemination, and behavior change for vulnerable populations was even more limited. CONCLUSIONS Recommendations include providing risk communications that are easy-to-understand and adapted to specific needs of at-risk groups. Communications should provide a limited number of messages that include specific actions for avoiding smoke exposure. Effective communications should use mixed media formats and a wide variety of dissemination strategies. There is a pressing need for more intervention research and effectiveness evaluation of risk communications about wildfire smoke exposure, and more development and dissemination of risk communications for both the general public and vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan H Vien
- Health Research for Action, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA.
| | - Susan L Ivey
- Health Research for Action, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA
| | - Hollynd Boyden
- Health Research for Action, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA
| | - Stephanie Holm
- Health Research for Action, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA
- Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, San Francisco, USA
- University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Linda Neuhauser
- Health Research for Action, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA
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Lu H, Xie J, Cheng Y, Chen Y. Modeling the formation of the public's information needs in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. ASLIB J INFORM MANAG 2022. [DOI: 10.1108/ajim-04-2022-0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeThis study aims to investigate how the public formed their need for information in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. Exploring the formation of information needs can reveal why the public's information needs differ and provide insights on targeted information service during health crises at an essential level.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 46 participants and analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Concepts, sub-categories and categories were developed, and a model was built to examine how the public formed the need for information about the pandemic.FindingsThe authors found that participants were stimulated by information asymmetry, severity of the pandemic and regulations to control the pandemic, which triggered their perceptions of information credibility, threat and social approval. After the participants perceived that there was a threat, it activated their basic needs and they actively formed the need for information based on cognitive activities. Moreover, information delivered by different senders resulted in a passive need for information. Participants' individual traits also influenced their perceptions after being stimulated.Research limitations/implicationsLong-term follow-up research is needed to help researchers identify more detailed perspectives and do comparative studies. Besides, this study conducted interviews through WeChat voice calls and telephone calls, and might be limited compared with face-to-face interviews.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study provide theoretical contributions to the information needs research and practical implications for information services and public health management.Originality/valueThere is little systematic research on how the public formed information needs in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Heaney E, Hunter L, Clulow A, Bowles D, Vardoulakis S. Efficacy of Communication Techniques and Health Outcomes of Bushfire Smoke Exposure: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:10889. [PMID: 34682636 PMCID: PMC8536189 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Public health officials communicate the relevant risks of bushfire smoke exposure and associated health protection measures to affected populations. Increasing global bushfire incidence in the context of climate change motivated this scoping review. English-language publications related to adverse health outcomes following bushfire smoke exposure and publications relating to communication during natural disasters were included. Bushfire smoke events potentially increase healthcare contact, especially presentations triggered by respiratory illness. At-risk populations include those with underlying cardiorespiratory disease, elderly, paediatric, pregnant persons, and First Nations people. We found that social media, television, and radio are among the most common information sources utilised in bushfire smoke events. Message style, content, and method of delivery can directly influence message uptake and behaviour modification. Age, rurality, and geographical location influence information source preferences. Culturally and linguistically diverse groups and those with hearing, vision, and mobility-related disabilities may benefit from targeted health recommendations. This review emphasises the health effects of bushfire smoke exposure and related communication recommendations during and after bushfire smoke events. Additional investigation may further clarify the health effects of bushfire smoke exposure and efficacy of related health messaging, particularly in at-risk populations. Quantitative comparison of communication methods may yield more specific recommendations for future bushfire smoke events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Heaney
- ANU Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (E.H.); (L.H.); (A.C.)
| | - Laura Hunter
- ANU Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (E.H.); (L.H.); (A.C.)
| | - Angus Clulow
- ANU Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (E.H.); (L.H.); (A.C.)
| | - Devin Bowles
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (D.B.); (S.V.)
| | - Sotiris Vardoulakis
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (D.B.); (S.V.)
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Fowler M, Modaresi Rad A, Utych S, Adams A, Alamian S, Pierce J, Dennison P, Abatzoglou JT, AghaKouchak A, Montrose L, Sadegh M. A dataset on human perception of and response to wildfire smoke. Sci Data 2019; 6:229. [PMID: 31649275 PMCID: PMC6813346 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0251-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildfire smoke presents a growing threat in the Western U.S.; and human health, transportation, and economic systems in growing western communities suffer due to increasingly severe and widespread fires. While modelling wildfire activity and associated wildfire smoke distributions have substantially improved, understanding how people perceive and respond to emerging smoke hazards has received little attention. Understanding and incorporating human perceptions of threats from wildfire smoke is critical, as decision-makers need such information to mitigate smoke-related hazards. We surveyed 614 randomly selected people (in-person) across the Boise Metropolitan Area in Idaho and 1,623 Boise State University affiliates (online), collecting information about their level of outside activity during smoke event(s), knowledge about the source of air quality information and effective messaging preference, perception of wildfire smoke as a hazard, and smoke-related health experiences. This relatively large dataset provides a novel perspective of people's perception of smoke hazards, and provides crucial policy-relevant information to decision-makers. Dataset is available to the public and can be used to address a wide range of research questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah Fowler
- Department of Civil Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, 73725, US
| | - Arash Modaresi Rad
- Department of Civil Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, 73725, US
| | - Stephen Utych
- School of Public Service, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, 83725, US
| | - Andrew Adams
- Department of Civil Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, 73725, US
| | - Sanazsadat Alamian
- College of Business and Economics, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, 83725, US
| | - Jennifer Pierce
- Department of Geosciences, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, 83725, US
| | - Philip Dennison
- Department of Geography, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, US
| | - John T Abatzoglou
- Department of Geography, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, 83844, US
| | - Amir AghaKouchak
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697, US
| | - Luke Montrose
- Department of Community and Environmental Health, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, 83725, US
| | - Mojtaba Sadegh
- Department of Civil Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, 73725, US.
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Fish JA, Peters MDJ, Ramsey I, Sharplin G, Corsini N, Eckert M. Effectiveness of public health messaging and communication channels during smoke events: A rapid systematic review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2017; 193:247-256. [PMID: 28226261 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to smoke emitted from wildfire and planned burns (i.e., smoke events) has been associated with numerous negative health outcomes, including respiratory symptoms and conditions. This rapid review investigates recent evidence (post-2009) regarding the effectiveness of public health messaging during smoke events. The objectives were to determine the effectiveness of various communication channels used and public health messages disseminated during smoke events, for general and at-risk populations. A search of 12 databases and grey literature yielded 1775 unique articles, of which 10 were included in this review. Principal results were: 1) Smoke-related public health messages are communicated via a variety of channels, but limited evidence is available regarding their effectiveness for the general public or at-risk groups. 2) Messages that use simple language are more commonly recalled, understood, and complied with. Compliance differs according to socio-demographic characteristics. 3) At-risk groups may be advised to stay indoors before the general population, in order to protect the most vulnerable people in a community. The research included in this review was observational and predominantly descriptive, and is therefore unable to sufficiently answer questions regarding effectiveness. Experimental research, as well as evaluations, are required to examine the effectiveness of modern communication channels, channels to reach at-risk groups, and the 'stay indoors' message.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Fish
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
| | - Micah D J Peters
- The Joanna Briggs Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Lvl 3, 55 King William Rd (Norwich House), North Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia
| | - Imogen Ramsey
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Greg Sharplin
- Behavioural Research and Evaluation Unit, Cancer Council SA, 202 Greenhill Rd, Eastwood, South Australia 5063, Australia
| | - Nadia Corsini
- Behavioural Research and Evaluation Unit, Cancer Council SA, 202 Greenhill Rd, Eastwood, South Australia 5063, Australia
| | - Marion Eckert
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
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Deere D, Leusch FDL, Humpage A, Cunliffe D, Khan SJ. Hypothetical scenario exercises to improve planning and readiness for drinking water quality management during extreme weather events. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 111:100-108. [PMID: 28063282 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Two hypothetical scenario exercises were designed and conducted to reflect the increasingly extreme weather-related challenges faced by water utilities as the global climate changes. The first event was based on an extreme flood scenario. The second scenario involved a combination of weather events, including a wild forest fire ('bushfire') followed by runoff due to significant rainfall. For each scenario, a panel of diverse personnel from water utilities and relevant agencies (e.g. health departments) formed a hypothetical water utility and associated regulatory body to manage water quality following the simulated extreme weather event. A larger audience participated by asking questions and contributing key insights. Participants were confronted with unanticipated developments as the simulated scenarios unfolded, introduced by a facilitator. Participants were presented with information that may have challenged their conventional experiences regarding operational procedures in order to identify limitations in current procedures, assumptions, and readily available information. The process worked toward the identification of a list of specific key lessons for each event. At the conclusion of each simulation a facilitated discussion was used to establish key lessons of value to water utilities in preparing them for similar future extreme events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, QLD, Australia.
| | | | | | - Stuart J Khan
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia.
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Khan SJ, Deere D, Leusch FDL, Humpage A, Jenkins M, Cunliffe D. Extreme weather events: Should drinking water quality management systems adapt to changing risk profiles? WATER RESEARCH 2015; 85:124-36. [PMID: 26311274 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Among the most widely predicted and accepted consequences of global climate change are increases in both the frequency and severity of a variety of extreme weather events. Such weather events include heavy rainfall and floods, cyclones, droughts, heatwaves, extreme cold, and wildfires, each of which can potentially impact drinking water quality by affecting water catchments, storage reservoirs, the performance of water treatment processes or the integrity of distribution systems. Drinking water guidelines, such as the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, provide guidance for the safe management of drinking water. These documents present principles and strategies for managing risks that may be posed to drinking water quality. While these principles and strategies are applicable to all types of water quality risks, very little specific attention has been paid to the management of extreme weather events. We present a review of recent literature on water quality impacts of extreme weather events and consider practical opportunities for improved guidance for water managers. We conclude that there is a case for an enhanced focus on the management of water quality impacts from extreme weather events in future revisions of water quality guidance documents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J Khan
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia.
| | | | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Smart Water Research Centre, School of Environment, Griffith University, QLD, Australia.
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Robinson P. Highlights in this issue. Aust N Z J Public Health 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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