NCI logo I-131 Fallout from NTS: Informing the Public
January 19-21, 2000

Workshop Summary

On January 19-21, 2000, a workshop titled "I-131 Fallout from NTS: Informing the Public" was held in Rockville, Maryland. It was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and planned in consultation with a working group of citizen representatives and state health department staff. This report summarizes the workshop proceedings, for the benefit of participants and other interested individuals and organizations.

You may find the following Appendices helpful as you read this Summary.

Appendix A - Working Group members and government staff
Appendix B - Workshop Participants
Appendix C - Proposed Campaign Operating Principles
Appendix D - Other Resources

The working group designed the workshop with five outcomes in mind:

  1. Obtain input for the ongoing process of campaign development and implementation, including the structure for continued public participation in the process.


  2. Get input on target audiences and a process for developing messages.


  3. Get suggestions for additional audience research.


  4. List the scientific questions that still need to be addressed, including suggestions for an April workshop on screening to be hosted by the Advisory Committee for Energy-Related Epidemiologic Research (ACERER), which advises the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on radiation research1.


  5. Identify ways to leverage this model process to benefit subsequent efforts on the full range of health effects from radionuclides released from the Nevada Test Site (NTS).

The workshop brought together affected citizens, consumer advocates, physicians, scientists, health department representatives, risk communicators, and government officials. Some had a long history with radiation fallout issues; others were new to the field but experienced in communications or reaching specific at-risk populations.

By the end of the three-day workshop, participants agreed on a set of campaign goals, provided organized feedback on four areas of campaign development, and developed a "wish list" of outcomes they would like to see in the near and distant future.

Workshop Proceedings: Day One
  • Opening and Introductions
  • Overview and History
  • The Science of I-131 Exposure and Health
  • Public Health Communications Challenge
  • Table Discussions
  • Panel1: Interest Group Perspectives
  • Panel 2: Health Provider Channels and Gatekeepers

Workshop Proceedings: Day Two
  • Screening/Medical Monitoring
  • General Recommendations
  • "Wish List" of Activities
  • Developing Model Outreach
  • Campaign Golas

Workshop Proceedings: Day Three
  • Organized Feedack
  • Campaign Development Workgroup
  • Recommendations for Topics to be Addresses at the ACERER Meeting to Address Screening Issues
  • Recommendations for Additional Audience Research
  • Preparation for Audience Messaging: What key information needs to be communicated?
  • Summary Comments
  • A Sampling of Participants' Closing Remarks
  • Next Steps
1At the time of the workshop, it was anticipated that the ACERER meeting to address screening issues would be held in April 2000. The meeting has since been scheduled for June, 2000.

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