Volume 25, Issue 3: June, 1998

Abstract

RADON AWARENESS AND REDUCTION CAMPAIGNS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS: A THEORETICALLY BASED EVALUATION

Kim Witte, PhD
Judy M. Berkowitz, PhD
Janet McKeon Lillie, PhD
Kenzie A. Cameron, MA
Maria Knight Lapinski, MA
Wen-Ying Liu, MA

Radon gas is a significant health threat linked to thousands of preventable deaths each year. One population that may be at increased risk from harm from radon exposure is African Americans. However, little is known about what African Americans think or know about radon. A theoretically based evaluation of radon awareness and reduction campaigns was conducted with African Americans. The knowledge and perceptions results indicate that African Americans often hold inaccurate beliefs regarding radon (e.g., confusing it with carbon monoxide gas), perceive it to be a serious threat, and perceive recommended responses to be inadequate in averting harm. The campaign materials evaluation shows that campaign materials often promote perceptions of threat but not perceptions of efficacy regarding recommended responses. Recommendations are given for public health practitioners.