Unconventional natural gas development and public health: toward a community-informed research agenda
-
Katrina Smith Korfmacher
,
Sarah Elam
Abstract
Unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) using high-volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) has vastly increased the potential for domestic natural gas production in recent years. However, the rapid expansion of UNGD has also raised concerns about its potential impacts on public health. Academics and government agencies are developing research programs to explore these concerns. Community involvement in activities such as planning, conducting, and communicating research is widely recognized as having an important role in promoting environmental health. Historically, however, communities most often engage in research after environmental health concerns have emerged. This community information needs assessment took a prospective approach to integrating community leaders’ knowledge, perceptions, and concerns into the research agenda prior to initiation of local UNGD. We interviewed community leaders about their views on environmental health information needs in three states (New York, North Carolina, and Ohio) prior to widespread UNGD. Interviewees emphasized the cumulative, long-term, and indirect determinants of health, as opposed to specific disease outcomes. Responses focused not only on information needs, but also on communication and transparency with respect to research processes and funding. Interviewees also prioritized investigation of policy approaches to effectively protect human health over the long term. Although universities were most often cited as a credible source of information, interviewees emphasized the need for multiple strategies for disseminating information. By including community leaders’ concerns, insights, and questions from the outset, the research agenda on UNGD is more likely to effectively inform decision making that ultimately protects public health.
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©2014 by De Gruyter
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Ethical concerns surrounding unconventional oil and gas development and vulnerable populations
- Selected papers
- Understanding exposure from natural gas drilling puts current air standards to the test
- Unconventional natural gas development and public health: toward a community-informed research agenda
- Developmental and reproductive effects of chemicals associated with unconventional oil and natural gas operations
- Reviews
- Reducing the use of carcinogens: the Massachusetts experience
- Beneficial effects of natural products on cells during ionizing radiation
- Dietary inclusion of local salt substitutes induces oxidative stress and renal dysfunction in rats
- A review of potable water accessibility and sustainability issues in developing countries – case study of Uganda
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Ethical concerns surrounding unconventional oil and gas development and vulnerable populations
- Selected papers
- Understanding exposure from natural gas drilling puts current air standards to the test
- Unconventional natural gas development and public health: toward a community-informed research agenda
- Developmental and reproductive effects of chemicals associated with unconventional oil and natural gas operations
- Reviews
- Reducing the use of carcinogens: the Massachusetts experience
- Beneficial effects of natural products on cells during ionizing radiation
- Dietary inclusion of local salt substitutes induces oxidative stress and renal dysfunction in rats
- A review of potable water accessibility and sustainability issues in developing countries – case study of Uganda
