Building Environmental Health and Genomics Literacy among Healthcare Providers Serving Vulnerable Communities: An Innovative Educational Framework

This study addresses healthcare providers' knowledge deficits in environmental health and genetics, and primarily focuses on student nurses and nurses serving marginalized, low-income communities frequently exposed to environmental toxicants. Our approach to improve public health is unique, com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 19; no. 2; p. 929
Main Authors:	Vandiver, Kathleen Mead, Erdei, Esther, Mayer, Amanda G, Ricciardi, Catherine, O'Leary, Marcia, Burke, Kathleen, Zelikoff, Judith T
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Switzerland MDPI AG 14-01-2022 MDPI
Subjects:	Cognitive style Contaminants Deoxyribonucleic acid Disease DNA Educational Status Environmental Health Environmental justice Genes Genetic diversity Genetic variance Genetics Genomics Health care Health education Health literacy Health Personnel Humans Indigenous peoples Interactive learning Literacy Low income areas Medical personnel Medical screening Minority & ethnic groups Modelling Molecular modelling Native Americans Nonprofit organizations Nurses Nursing education Nursing schools Population genetics Populations Professionals Proteins Public health Rural areas Science education Students Teaching Toxicants Toxicology World population United States > US China hands-on learning community health Indigenous populations genomics genetic susceptibility nursing education environmental exposures
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Summary:	This study addresses healthcare providers' knowledge deficits in environmental health and genetics, and primarily focuses on student nurses and nurses serving marginalized, low-income communities frequently exposed to environmental toxicants. Our approach to improve public health is unique, combining hands-on modeling exercises with case-based lessons in addition to three targeted 40 min lectures on toxicology. These lectures included the team's community-based environmental health research among Indigenous peoples of the U.S. The hands-on approach employed DNA and protein molecular models designed to demonstrate normal and dysfunctional molecules, as well as genetic variants in world populations. The models provided learners with visuals and an experience of "learning by doing." Increased awareness of the effects of environmental toxicants is the first step toward improving health care for exposed communities. We measured knowledge gains by pre- and post-tests among student nurses and nurses serving Native Americans living both in urban and rural areas of the U.S. ( = 116). The modeling lessons illustrated genetic variants in liver proteins common in Native peoples and their resulting health vulnerabilities. Participants were engaged and enthusiastic; and pre- and post-test results reported substantial knowledge gains and a greater understanding of genetic susceptibility ( < 0.0001). Our study demonstrates the utility of this framework across diverse populations and remote communities.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 For molecular models direct correspondence to K.M.V.
ISSN:	1660-4601 1661-7827 1660-4601
DOI:	10.3390/ijerph19020929