Communication and health education in communities experiencing asbestos risk and health impacts in Italy.

INTRODUCTION

Numerous municipalities in Italy currently experience asbestos health impact, in particular excesses of pleural mesothelioma incidence and mortality. This paper presents an integrated analysis of epidemiological studies and communication actions in affected municipalities to highlight how communication has been implemented depending on health impact evidence and involvement of local stakeholders.

METHODOLOGY: Four case studies are identified concerning industrial and natural sources of asbestos exposure having different diseases burden. This integrated analysis benefited from multidisciplinary skills.

DISCUSSION: Evidence of different stakeholders engagement is presented to emphasize their role in the communication process. Similarities and differences among case studies allowed us to identify lessons-learned to be transferred in other asbestos contaminated sites.

CONCLUSIONS

The adoption of communication strategies and practices, since the very early evidence of asbestos health impact, represents a relevant contribution for epidemiological and health surveillance, particularly for those communities where asbestos health impact has only been recently reported.