Knowledge of Relationship Between Contamination and Health Problems

Results

Numerous respondents were aware of specific water quality problems that may be behind the health problems in their communities. Some 47% indicated that they were aware of problems with drinking water that may be the cause of health problems, and 71% indicated that they were aware of surface water quality problems that may be the cause of health problems.

When asked about how established such connections were by research, only 11% of respondents indicated that an almost certain connection had been established; 38% indicated that there was a suspected connection supported by word-of-mouth and/or some initial investigation; 51% of respondents indicated that the degree of connection was unknown.
respondents certainty about links chart
2002 Needs Assessment - Certainty about Links

Discussion

At least half of all respondents are uncertain about the connections between community health problems and the contamination present in their water. At the same time, over 70% of respondents indicate that they know of specific surface water quality problems that could be causing their health problems, and almost 50% of respondents indicate that they know of drinking water quality problems that could be the cause of community health problems. Community members possess information that suggests potential connections between contamination and health issues. Their uncertainty about these links suggests that these communities could benefit from tools to better assess the information already available to them, as well as tools that will guide them in data collection efforts that will enable them to better assess contamination and community health relationships.