Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 1.10 Environmental Ecology
Presentation #1 Title
Environmental Health Perceptions and Realities in Appalachia, Ohio
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Decades of environmental justice research has documented that poor people are more likely to live in areas with worse environmental conditions than wealthier people. Furthermore, emergent research is examining the relationship between environmental conditions and health disparities. Ohio provides an opportunity to evaluate the role of place in health disparities because, of Ohio’s 88 counties, 32 of them are in the Appalachian region. This session features three presentations from community-based research in Appalachia, Ohio that included interviews, PhotoVoice, surveys, and case studies. First, we present data related to social determinants that contribute to disparities between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties in the Ohio. Results from a statewide survey indicate that environmental health professionals perceive health disparities and environmental injustice as unique issues in Appalachia, Ohio. Second, we share photographic images and conversations about environmental and health conditions from community members. The third presentation compares and contrasts two Appalachian communities and their response to drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing. Carroll County, the epicenter of drilling in Ohio is compared to one Village in Athens County in which there is no drilling, but vocal opposition. Survey results suggest that while most people feel well-informed about natural gas drilling, the community is divided over perceptions of the environmental risks of the process. Communities in Appalachia face current and future environmental health risks, and this session emphasizes and demonstrates the importance of involving local people in documenting what these risks are.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Dr. Morrone is a Professor of Environmental Health Science and a Faculty Fellow with the Appalachian Rural Health Institute at Ohio University. She is co-editor of: Mountains of Injustice: Social and Environmental Equity in Appalachia.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Dr. Amy Chadwick is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Ohio University. Her research involves health and environmental communication as well as message development.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Dr. Natalie Kruse is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies in the Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University. She has an extensive background researching environmental impacts of mining in Appalachia.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Justin Rudnick is a Doctoral Student in the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University.
Environmental Health Perceptions and Realities in Appalachia, Ohio
Science Hall 276
Decades of environmental justice research has documented that poor people are more likely to live in areas with worse environmental conditions than wealthier people. Furthermore, emergent research is examining the relationship between environmental conditions and health disparities. Ohio provides an opportunity to evaluate the role of place in health disparities because, of Ohio’s 88 counties, 32 of them are in the Appalachian region. This session features three presentations from community-based research in Appalachia, Ohio that included interviews, PhotoVoice, surveys, and case studies. First, we present data related to social determinants that contribute to disparities between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties in the Ohio. Results from a statewide survey indicate that environmental health professionals perceive health disparities and environmental injustice as unique issues in Appalachia, Ohio. Second, we share photographic images and conversations about environmental and health conditions from community members. The third presentation compares and contrasts two Appalachian communities and their response to drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing. Carroll County, the epicenter of drilling in Ohio is compared to one Village in Athens County in which there is no drilling, but vocal opposition. Survey results suggest that while most people feel well-informed about natural gas drilling, the community is divided over perceptions of the environmental risks of the process. Communities in Appalachia face current and future environmental health risks, and this session emphasizes and demonstrates the importance of involving local people in documenting what these risks are.
