CYFAR 2007 Presentation



CYFAR Conference Program Showcase Fish Consumption Education for At-Risk Populations: Eating Fish Safely, while Minimizing Health Risks Presenters: Robin Goettel and Terri Hallesy, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program; Leslie Dorworth, Purdue University-Calumet, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program; Jacqueline Wilson, University of Illinois Extension, Cook County Chicago-South; Diana Dummitt, University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Linda Cook, Purdue University, 4-H Consumption of fish is a strong part of many cultures in our society. As such, potential health risks associated with consuming fish are not being adequately communicated to the communities whose health, livelihood, and culture depend on consumption of seafood. Since urban areas are home to higher percentages of immigrant and minority populations, who often lack political power to combat heavily-polluting industry in their communities and due to social inequalities have limited opportunities to obtain high-paying professions, they rely on fishing in local water sources to provide their families with sustenance. Currently, the communities that need to receive messages about fish consumption practices are not being reached. Strategies need to be developed that target these populations in ways that appeal to their cultural practices and that spark their interest in why certain fish may be detrimental to their health. Recommended approaches need to include simple actions people can take to ensure their good health by eating appropriate fish species and preparing them properly. The goal of this Extension education project is to reduce the incidence of the profound negative health effects from consuming contaminated fish for immigrant and other underserved populations residing in urban areas of the southern Lake Michigan region. Most fish are safe to eat, but certain neurological effects can result from eating contaminated fish. Cognitive development can be impaired in young children whose mothers have consumed contaminated fish during pregnancy or in children who consume excessive amounts of contaminated fish. Consumers need to know how to make the right choices regarding fish that might contain contaminants such as PCBs and mercury. This presentation will highlight two approaches for educating the public about this critical human health issue--a U.S.EPA-funded education project for teachers and students in grades 7-12, that teaches where contaminants come from; why people should care; and how to get the benefits of eating fish, while selecting and preparing appropriate fish to avoiding the risks that can occur and a University of Illinois Extension EFNEP training program. Presenters have partnered to conduct outreach and education on fish consumption for at-risk populations. This Showcase exhibit highlights various tools that have been instrumental in conveying important information about this very serious health issue. We have conducted teacher workshops to inform educators about this subject so that they can then teach their students. Once students have the necessary information they create stewardship projects to be shared with their community members at local fairs and festivals, as well as at school-based events. These exhibits highlight fish consumption advisories and recommendations for safe food preparation. Publications used in outreach programming include What You Need to Know Before You Eat That Fish! and Contaminants in Fish & Seafood – A Guide to Safe Consumption. These resources offer comprehensive information about ways to reduce exposure to PCBs and mercury; benefits of eating fish; proper preparation and cooking techniques; and information about fish advisories. The Contaminants brochure has been translated into Spanish, Chinese, and Polish. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) delivers health-related programs using Extension Sea Grant’s fish consumption flip chart teaching tool to educate limited-resource and high-risk audiences about prenatal and childhood nutrition. Fish: The Good and the Bad highlights the risks and benefits of eating fish. For comprehensive information on all aspects of this project including additional content resources and technical contacts, please visit the Fish School Web site.

CYFAR Conference Program Showcase

Fish Consumption Education for At-Risk Populations: Eating Fish Safely, while Minimizing Health Risks

Presenters: Robin Goettel and Terri Hallesy, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program; Leslie Dorworth, Purdue University-Calumet, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program; Jacqueline Wilson, University of Illinois Extension, Cook County Chicago-South; Diana Dummitt, University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Linda Cook, Purdue University, 4-H

Consumption of fish is a strong part of many cultures in our society. As such, potential health risks associated with consuming fish are not being adequately communicated to the communities whose health, livelihood, and culture depend on consumption of seafood. Since urban areas are home to higher percentages of immigrant and minority populations, who often lack political power to combat heavily-polluting industry in their communities and due to social inequalities have limited opportunities to obtain high-paying professions, they rely on fishing in local water sources to provide their families with sustenance.

Currently, the communities that need to receive messages about fish consumption practices are not being reached. Strategies need to be developed that target these populations in ways that appeal to their cultural practices and that spark their interest in why certain fish may be detrimental to their health. Recommended approaches need to include simple actions people can take to ensure their good health by eating appropriate fish species and preparing them properly.

The goal of this Extension education project is to reduce the incidence of the profound negative health effects from consuming contaminated fish for immigrant and other underserved populations residing in urban areas of the southern Lake Michigan region.

Most fish are safe to eat, but certain neurological effects can result from eating contaminated fish. Cognitive development can be impaired in young children whose mothers have consumed contaminated fish during pregnancy or in children who consume excessive amounts of contaminated fish. Consumers need to know how to make the right choices regarding fish that might contain contaminants such as PCBs and mercury.

This presentation will highlight two approaches for educating the public about this critical human health issue--a U.S.EPA-funded education project for teachers and students in grades 7-12, that teaches where contaminants come from; why people should care; and how to get the benefits of eating fish, while selecting and preparing appropriate fish to avoiding the risks that can occur and a University of Illinois Extension EFNEP training program.

Presenters have partnered to conduct outreach and education on fish consumption for at-risk populations. This Showcase exhibit highlights various tools that have been instrumental in conveying important information about this very serious health issue.

We have conducted teacher workshops to inform educators about this subject so that they can then teach their students. Once students have the necessary information they create stewardship projects to be shared with their community members at local fairs and festivals, as well as at school-based events. These exhibits highlight fish consumption advisories and recommendations for safe food preparation.

Publications used in outreach programming include What You Need to Know Before You Eat That Fish! and Contaminants in Fish & Seafood – A Guide to Safe Consumption. These resources offer comprehensive information about ways to reduce exposure to PCBs and mercury; benefits of eating fish; proper preparation and cooking techniques; and information about fish advisories. The Contaminants brochure has been translated into Spanish, Chinese, and Polish.

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) delivers health-related programs using Extension Sea Grant’s fish consumption flip chart teaching tool to educate limited-resource and high-risk audiences about prenatal and childhood nutrition. Fish: The Good and the Bad highlights the risks and benefits of eating fish.

For comprehensive information on all aspects of this project including additional content resources and technical contacts, please visit the Fish School Web site.