Communicating Results of a Dietary Exposure Study Following Consumption of Traditionally Smoked Salmon

Abstract

One expectation of community-based participatory research (CBPR) is participant access to study results. However, reporting experimental data produced by studies involving biological measurements in the absence of clinical relevance can be challenging to scientists and participants. We applied best practices in data sharing to report the results of a study designed to explore polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons absorption, metabolism, and excretion following consumption of traditionally smoked salmon by members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). A dietary exposure study was developed, in which nine Tribal members consumed 50 g of traditionally smoked salmon and provided repeated urine samples over 24 hours. During recruitment, participants requested access to their data following analysis. Disclosing data is an important element of CBPR and must be treated with the same rigor as that given to the data analysis. The field of data disclosure is relatively new, but when handled correctly can improve education within the community, reduce distrust, and enhance environmental health literacy. Using the results from this study, we suggest mechanisms for sharing data with a Tribal community.

Developing a Short Assessment of Environmental Health Literacy (SA-EHL)

“…This may mitigate the existing EHL barrier of confusing or unknown terminology [ 4 ]. Additionally, studies that are returning data to study participants and communities have reported qualitative increases in EHL with the return of data [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Thus, there is a need for standardized scales that can inform researchers and health care professionals about baseline EHL levels [ 5 , 6 , 36 ] and assess changes in EHL upon receipt of data [ 3 ].…”

The Importance of Community Engagement and Research Translation within the NIEHS Superfund Research Program

“…The CECs often partner with research projects within their center to lend their expertise with communities and leverage other researcher expertise to share risks of exposure within the community. For example, the Oregon State University SRP Center CEC has paired with multiple research projects within their center to engage tribal communities in evaluating and reducing exposure, using a community-engaged approach [12,13]. The Boston University and University of Iowa SRP Centers’ projects and CECs collaborated with each other to establish partnerships for community-based environmental exposure research and to develop tools and methods to report back to the community members, a strategy that combined multiple areas of expertise to best reach a community affected by polychlorinated biphenyl and heavy metal contamination [14].…”

Impacts to Diné activities with the San Juan River after the Gold King Mine Spill

“…Community-driven research has led to improved exposure estimates among Native American communities and the creation of methods and tools to better quantify these exposures [24][25][26][27][28][29]. This methodological approach also resulted in the creation of culturally appropriate recommendations and interventions geared towards reducing exposures [30][31][32]. Incorporating Native American specific exposure pathways in the risk assessment process is possible and should always be incorporated to ensure those most at risk are protected.…”