Community Engagement Resources
Trainings and Workshops
Extreme Weather & Health Teachers’ Workshop
UK-CARES Community Engagement Core is hosting a free virtual Extreme Weather & Health Teachers’ Workshop for K-12 curriculums, September 4, 4-6 PM. All Teachers (K-12) are welcome! Engage and explore solutions to the following questions:
- What does extreme weather look like in Kentucky?
- How does extreme weather influence human health?
- What can we do about extreme weather?
- How can we support students following extreme weather events?
- What opportunities exist for incorporating extreme weather and health content into classroom instruction?
Download a PDF for registration information.
Community Engaged Research (CEnR) Training Module
The CEnR training module is a product of a meaningful multidirectional community-academic partnership that arose from a coalition leader’s observation of the need for investigators to better understand the context and methods used when planning and executing research in partnership with the community. The training module presenters are community partners, citizen scientists, and CEnR investigators. The module and quiz take approximately 45 - 60 minutes. Upon successful completion of the quiz, you will receive a congratulatory email.
Click here to register for the training module.
Climate and Health Resources
Map: Flooding in Southeastern Kentucky - August 2022
Dr. Jay Christian created a PDF detailing the areas that experienced flooding in July and August of 2022. Thirteen of the twenty-one counties in the UK-CARES target region have been designated as federal disaster areas.
Wildfires: Use of Masks and Air Purification Devices
GUIDELINES ON HOW TO BEST USE A MASK WHEN EXPOSED TO WILDFIRE SMOKE
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-11/documents/respiratory_protection-no-niosh-5081.pdf
http://www.sparetheair.com/assets/FaceMasks-FiltersInfo.pdf
CREATE YOUR OWN AIR PURIFIER
The Corsi–Rosenthal Box, also called a Corsi–Rosenthal Cube or a Comparetto Cube, is a design for a do-it-yourself air purifier that can be built comparatively inexpensively. It was designed during the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of reducing the levels of airborne viral particles in indoor settings.
Click here to access instructions on how to build your own Corsi-Rosenthal box.
Disaster Preparedness and Response
Toolkit: Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults
UK-CARES members worked with community partners to develop a toolkit to help older adults prepare for disasters. The toolkit contains several handy documents including a disaster kit checklist, tools to document medical needs and health issues, a family communication plan, and a brief video made especially for seniors. “Our Appalachian residents can experience extreme hardship during these disasters,” said Erin Haynes, DrPH, UK-CARES deputy director. “This project utilizes combined expertise and resources from across the Commonwealth to help Kentuckians who are most at need when disaster strikes.”
Infographics: Staying Safe Before and After a Natural Disaster
The UK-CARES team is gradually building a collection of useful infographics to ensure community members remain safe before and after a natural disaster:
Handout: Ways to Protect Your Immune and Respiratory Systems After a Flood
Adults and children with cancer, asthma, COPD, diabetes, AIDS, and other health conditions may be at increased risk for infection and trouble with breathing after a flood. Use this tip sheet to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
Interview: Deputy Director Dr. Erin Haynes, "Best Practices to Keep Everyone Healthy and Safe During Disaster Clean Up"
As the flood waters begin to recede, families, business owners and volunteer cleanup groups will begin to reenter the damaged buildings and start the long cleanup process. Unfortunately, many flood-related injuries and health issues, even death, can occur during the cleanup response. It is critical to remember that although the flood waters may recede, there are a number of hazards to be aware of. Dr. Greg Davis from WUKY gets health tips from Erin Haynes, Dr.P.H., chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health in the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.
Video: Avoiding Infection During Flood Clean-Up
Click here to watch a brief video about how to avoid infection while you clean up after a flood.
Video: Flooding and a Weak Immune System
Click here to watch a brief video on when you should seek help after a flood if you have a weak immune system.
Tipsheet: Recommendations from Ready.gov on Safety During Power Outtages
Extended power outages may impact the whole community and the economy. A power outage is when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly.
A power outage may:
- Disrupt communications, water and transportation.
- Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks and other services.
- Cause food spoilage and water contamination.
- Prevent use of medical devices.
Tipsheet: CDC's "What You Need to Know When the Power Goes Out Unexpectedly"
Take Immediate Action
- To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, use generators, pressure washers, grills, and similar items outdoors only. Generators should be used at least 20 feet away from your home.
- Identify and throw away food that may not be safe to eat.
- Check with local authorities to be sure your water is safe.
- In hot weather, stay cool and drink plenty of fluids to prevent heat-related illness.
- In cold weather, wear layers of clothing, which help to keep in body heat.
- Avoid downed power lines, if a power line falls on a car, you should stay inside the vehicle.
Community Environmental Health Assessments
Big Sandy Area Development District
Download a PDF of the assessment to learn more about the concerns of community members in the Big Sandy ADD regarding health issues related to air, water, and emerging threats.
Cumberland Valley Area Development District
Download a PDF of the assessment to learn more about the concerns of community members in the Cumberland Valley ADD regarding health issues related to air, water, and emerging threats.
Kentucky River Area Development District
Download a PDF of the assessment to learn more about the concerns of community members in the Kentucky River ADD regarding health issues related to air, water, and emerging threats.
Radon Research
Comic Book: "Invisible Enemy: The Rise of Radon"
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01ES021502. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Water Quality
Podcast: Reducing Exposure to Disinfection Byproducts in Drinking Water
In this episode of the NIEHS PEPH Podcast, we’ll hear from Anna Goodman Hoover, PhD, a public health researcher at the University of Kentucky, and Nina McCoy, who leads the group Martin County Concerned Citizens. They are working with residents in rural eastern Kentucky who are concerned about high levels of disinfection byproducts detected in their drinking water. Hoover and McCoy discuss potential health effects of exposure to disinfection byproducts and an NIEHS-funded community-engaged project to raise local awareness of these compounds in drinking water and reduce exposure to them.