Case Study - Disseminating Health Information on Hazards of Prenatal Mercury Exposure

Two key methods for disseminating information to pregnant women on the health hazards of prenatal mercury exposure are through clinical integration and media coverage.

Clinical integration allows providers and hospitals to have active roles in message dissemination. Pre-pregnancy education is one method to encourage change in eating habits prior to pregnancy. Education on the hazards of prenatal mercury should be integrated into regular prenatal checkups.

Media coverage takes many different forms and is presented in various locations. Regardless of whether the medium is print or electronic, the message should contain graphics of women and children with whom the community can identify and should be multilingual as needed. Hospitals and clinics should post written and electronic advertisements in strategic locations such as hallways, waiting rooms and examination rooms. The messages should contain simple, plain text and translations into appropriate languages.

The following are examples used in Brooklyn, New York:

TV commercials/documentaries/Public Service Announcement (PSA)-type messages during popular TV hours. PSAs on waiting room televisions should be brief to ensure the complete message is received if waiting times are short.
Radio ads
Educational pamphlets, flyers, posters strategically placed (waiting rooms)
Free, local periodicals
YouTube, Facebook, Twitter
Text 4 baby© campaign
Informational event
Booth at block parties
High school [and community] health fairs

Source:

Callejo, F.P., Geer, L.A. A Community-based Approach to Disseminate Health Information on the Hazards of Prenatal Mercury Exposure in Brooklyn, NY J Community Health 37, 745–753 (2012)

Case Study - Disseminating Health Information on Hazards of Prenatal Mercury Exposure

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