NEHA March 2023 Journal of Environmental Health

ADVANCEMENT OF THE PRACTICE

so it is ultimately up to the reader to infer whether the findings of this study could be transferred to their specific context. Regard- less, our study provides insight into the per- ceptions of residents after a severe HAB event and has implications related to information needs and risk communication. Communities aected by HABs can benefit from targeted outreach, including notification strategies and education, as well as methods to build trust to address information needs and eectively communicate risk (Ekstrom et al., 2020; Nierenberg et al., 2010). Taking steps to minimize risks and exposure to tox- ins for people and their animals is the fun- damental goal of an eective HAB outreach program (Hardy et al., 2016). Although every HAB event is dierent, our study could be

used to inform other regions that are at risk for HABs in the U.S. and worldwide. Conclusion HAB events are unique because they are an ongoing environmental issue; however, they can also cause severe events such as do-not- drink water advisories or fish consumption warnings. Residents want prompt informa- tion to deal with severe events but also edu- cation about HABs in general. Information, however, is not always viewed as trustworthy and might be framed to meet a particular agenda or be manipulated to sensational- ize HAB events. Confusion and mixed mes- sages can further intensify distrust and aect residents’ perceptions about if there is a clear notification strategy or alert system in place.

The public can only protect themselves and respond appropriately if risk communication about HABs is understandable and accurate, and—most essentially—trusted. Acknowledgements: Focus groups were con- ducted as part of an environmental health assessment with the Toledo–Lucas County Health Department with Sheryl Milz, PhD, CIH, serving as the principal investigator. We would like to thank Jordan Murray for her thoughtful review of this manuscript. Corresponding Author: April Ames, Univer- sity of Toledo College of Health and Human Services, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Mailstop 1027, Toledo, OH 43614. Email: april.ames@utoledo.edu.

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