Core C: Community Engagement Core (CEC)

Univ Of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

ABSTRACT: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CORE With community partners in three NC counties, the UNC-SRP Community Engagement Core (CEC) proposes to build the capacity of NC well users to prevent or reduce exposure to toxic metals in private well drinking water, with an overarching goal of fostering environmental health literacy. We will connect UNC-SRP investigators with community leaders to ensure that research is informed by and responsive to community concerns. Using participatory science approaches and working closely with community partners, we will build the capacity of well users to assess water quality and identify appropriate treatment options. We also will inform the development of policy options that create infrastructure to address testing/treatment needs in NC and can serve as models for other areas. All aspects of CEC activity will be guided by community-engaged research principles and conducted jointly with our community partners. These partners work with socially and economically marginalized populations in areas with high geogenic iAs and concerns about anthropogenic sources. We will accomplish our goal through three aims: (1) Facilitate dialogue among UNC-SRP investigators and key stakeholders about preventing and reducing exposure to toxic metals in private well drinking water—we will convene a Public Health Action Committee with representatives of community-based organizations, environmental justice and health advocates, state and local health departments, and residents of communities at high risk of exposure to iAs; (2) Build capacity to prevent or reduce exposure to iAs in private well drinking water in high-risk communities by conducting participatory science, co-led by community partners—in Union, Robeson, and Randolph Counties, we will co-design initiatives with partners and will facilitate sampling by Project 3 and testing of novel filters by Project 4. We also will work with Projects 1-4 to engage networks of childcare providers to raise awareness of potential exposures and relevant intervention/prevention strategies and facilitate information sharing with families; and (3) Inform the development of local and state policies that prevent or reduce iAs exposure in private well drinking water—we will facilitate meetings of the statewide NC Well Water Working Group to explore policy options for protecting private well water quality in NC and will expand an existing collaboration with the UNC School of Law Pro Bono Program to advance policy options for high-risk communities in NC. In summary, the CEC and its community partners, together with UNC-SRP investigators, will build capacity to implement the prevention/intervention strategies of increasing well testing and providing treatment for contamination.