The Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) is pleased to invite the campus community to a virtual seminar, "Report-back of research results in pregnancy cohorts in two cities," with guest speaker, Diana Rohlman, Ph.D., associate research professor in the College of Health at Oregon State University. The seminar will take place on March 21, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. The seminar is free; registration is required. Registrants will receive the Zoom link via email. 

Abstract

A contributing factor to participant retention in longitudinal studies is the option for participants to receive some, or all, of their individual results. This practice is termed the report-back of research results (RBRR) and encapsulates all types of return of data, from individual-level to de-identified, aggregate summaries of results. There is now a well characterized ethical obligation for RBRR, although limited guidelines exist for how to conduct RBRR, particularly in pregnancy cohorts. We have reported back chemical exposure data within two pregnancy cohorts: a large cohort (>300) in New York, NY looking at associations between exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and childhood respiratory outcomes, and a small cohort (n=33) in Detroit, MI looking at associations between exposure to industrial pollution and adverse birth outcomes (e.g., preterm birth, low birth weight). Both cohorts utilized the silicone wristband to sequester semi-volatile and volatile organic compounds. The NY cohort received results for 62 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, while the Detroit cohort received results for 1,530 chemicals. In both cohorts, participants had the opportunity to request their results and over 90% selected this option. Using a mixed methods approach, reports were developed, refined with input from community liaisons, and tested in focus groups with study participants. Predominant changes to the reports, independent of chemical type were: i) simplify tables and graphs; ii) modify messaging to be specific to pregnancy (e.g., addressing potential for “mom guilt”), iii) acknowledge and address the time gap between study initiation, data collection, and report-back, and iv) provide comparison datasets when possible. As assessed during the focus groups in both cohorts, the reports increased environmental health literacy across all levels (recognize, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, create). Overwhelmingly, participants cited that while the data in the reports may be concerning, they were glad they had received the data. Follow up surveys in the NY cohort indicated over 90% of people planned to make some changes to reduce their exposure.   

Biography

Dr. Diana Rohlman is an associate research professor in the College of Health at Oregon State University. A toxicologist, her research interests align at the intersection of toxicology, public health and research translation. She is interested in the role environmental health literacy plays in how communities perceive, describe, and respond to environmental health hazards. The majority of her research is community engaged and incorporates returning data to individuals and communities (report-back of research results). She works with urban, rural, Indigenous, and environmental justice communities, as well as pregnant populations, to identify, translate, and disseminate information to reduce environmental exposures and improve health.  

We hope you are able to join us for this interesting seminar!