Help Received

Results

We next wanted to find out what type of help groups had already availed themselves of, and how helpful that assistance was.

The number of respondent groups indicating that they had received help from the following types of organizations are as follows: NGO - 34; University - 25; Consultant - 9; State Health Dept. - 44; State environmental department - 49; EPA - 42; ATSDR/CDC - 27; Local Health Dept - 34.

We again created an Effectiveness Score to describe how effective local groups viewed the assistance that they received. The score was calculated in the same manner as the action Effectiveness Scores above.

Although a few reported that they were helpful, over half of all respondents indicated that the ATSDR and local health departments were not helpful.

Discussion

Community groups reported receiving help from a variety of sources. Universities, consultants and non-profits were reported to provide the most effective assistance. The ATSDR and local health departments were reported to be not as helpful. This data supported anecdotal accounts we had previously heard; numerous communities have charged both ATSDR and local heath departments with being more obstructionist than helpful. It should also be mentioned that some communities have had positive experiences with both ATSDR and their local health department.