FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Melissa Morrison, (251) 947-1644
Ricky Elliott, (251) 947-6206
Representatives from the Alabama Department of Public Health will be conducting household surveys of residents in south Baldwin and Mobile counties on Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. This is part of an ongoing collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Alabama Department of Mental Health to assess community needs and health after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. In addition to Alabama Department of Public Health staff, Mobile County Health Department and Project Rebound staff will be conducting the surveys.
Last August residents were surveyed about their health and well-being in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. On August 26 and 27, the surveys are going to be repeated in the same areas to assess the current health in those communities and will be compared to the previous survey in an effort to identify any changes or new issues. In addition, inquiries will be made about community preparedness for emergencies.
“Following any type of disaster, public health and emergency management professionals must be prepared to respond to and meet the needs of the people,” State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson said. “We greatly appreciate and value the cooperation and participation of the public.”
Assessment teams of two to three surveyors each will be conducting the surveys. Households will be selected randomly to participate in the survey. All surveyors will be wearing identification badges and will be able to provide a phone number for identification verification. The survey should take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete.
The data collected will be analyzed by the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects Health Studies Branch.
If you have any questions please contact Melissa Morrison at (251) 947-1644.
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8/12/11