Stop and listen to the people: An enhanced approach to cancer cluster investigations

B.W. Simpson, P. Truant and B.A. Resnick

American Journal of Public Health, 2014, vol. 104, issue 7, 1204-1208

Abstract: Cancer cluster investigations need to address the disconnect between traditional public health approaches and human needs. Cancer cluster investigations often magnify fear and uncertainty because they rarely find a definitive environmental cause. Traditional approaches emphasize population-level data analysis and undervalue active listening. Because few studies have explored active listening in cancer cluster investigations, we conducted a descriptive oral history case study of a Frederick, Maryland, investigation. We interviewed 12 community members and 9 public health professionals about the investigation of a perceived cancer cluster. Many believed it was linked to environmental contamination at Fort Detrick, a local US Army base. We propose enhanced active listening that seeks out peoples' perspectives, validates their concerns, and engages them in the investigative process.

Keywords: article; cluster analysis; consumer; environment; environmental exposure; health education; human; interpersonal communication; methodology; neoplasm; psychological aspect; public health; public health service; United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); Cluster Analysis; Communication; Consumer Participation; Environment; Environmental Exposure; Health Education; Humans; Maryland; Neoplasms; Public Health; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301836_5

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301836

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