Here is the text: Federal Lyme disease researchers are coming to town Written by Macklin Reid Friday, July 11, 2008 Researchers from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are coming to Ridgefield next week to study how they can best educate the American public on Lyme disease. Four researchers from the CDC will be in town from Wednesday, July 16, through Saturday, July 19, conducting focus groups and street interviews on Lyme disease awareness and prevention.
``We're going to be meeting with all the different groups around Ridgefield,'' said Emily Zielinski-Gutierrez, a behavioral scientist with the CDC's Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases in Fort Collins, Colo.
``Different demographic segments -- older men who are golfers, and moms -- and kind of find out what people know and, more importantly, what their attitudes are toward prevention, so we can better target our messages, and better strategize about Lyme disease prevention,'' she said.
``Just like Coca-Cola tests their messages and finds out the best way to sell you Coca-Cola, it's just good practice in public health to find out what people actually know about the prevention messages that are put out.
``A lot of time in public health we have a whole list of what people can do,'' she said. ``If it doesn't relate to people's lives and if it isn't something people find practical, you're kind of just wasting your breath.''
To participate
Ridgefielders are invited to participate and offer their suggestions. Groups the researchers are interested in talking to include parents of young children, outdoor enthusiasts, golfers, gardeners, teens, and senior citizens.
Anyone interested in participating in one of these hour-long sessions may send an e-mail -- including name and daytime phone number -- to the Ridgefield Health Department BLAST Lyme Disease Program at [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it by this Sunday, July 13. A health educator will contact interested people to discuss the program details and registration. Day and evening sessions are being planned and participants will receive a thank-you gift.
``We're looking at putting groups together at Founders Hall, at Parks and Rec and the Boys & Girls Club, at the golf course,'' said Jennifer Reid of the Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force and the town Health Department's BLAST Lyme study.
``The Visiting Nurse Association has organized a group of nurses they'll be speaking to at the VNA,'' she said.
``And we've also contacted a number of organizations that have parents of young children. They're very aware that the highest numbers of Lyme cases are among young children. That's a real area of concern.''
On the streets
In addition to the pre-arranged focus groups, the CDC researchers will be doing ``intercept interviews'' around town.
``They're sort of the man-on-the-street interviews,'' Ms. Reid said. ``They'll be working at the sidewalk sale on July 19, the Sale-a-bration, they'll be at the farmers' market Friday, the 18th.''
The CDC researchers are separate from -- but will have the support and cooperation of -- the town Health Department's BLAST Lyme study.
``This is great news to us,'' Ms. Reid said, ``that they're asking citizens how to best target the message, so that people stay safe.''
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Too bad they aren't interested in improving tests and treatment.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
I read this earlier today and my first reaction was, I wish I lived in Connecticut. If I lived closer I would be there protesting.
Bea Seibert
Posted by northstar (Member # 7911) on :
I wonder what they are going to say?
Is this part of the IDSA OutReach Program, seeing as that is their only link on their lyme page?
Northstar
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Yeah, this is the state where they are trying to put a brilliant doctor out of business. I think every group the CDC meets with should challenge their positions on lyme disease. They have failed us miserably.
They want sweet talk about prevention when kids are going to be left with a serious bacterial infection, untreated, if the state continues its slash and burn campaign. Tell them to come to the hearings with Dr. Jones.
Posted by Monica922 (Member # 13496) on :
No doubt Lou. I am with you 100%.
Posted by jklynd (Member # 7550) on :
Monica, in all sincerity, (I've seen your recent video "debut") I'm not sure we should place too much of our faith in the CDC..
I post this link to a story on CNN that shows a director of the CDC having to diagnose/treat himself for "West Nile Virus"..
When the link opens, also view the related video... The video is at the top-near the "Explainer" tab..
I still can't believe (and in the interview they're talking about mosquito "vectors") (Take a look at the "pond" behind him-where the interview is taking place) that these people are in charge of keeping us "safe"..
Same holds true for the "FDA". I think our only hope is in getting some of the Lyme bills that have been languishing into committee, and finally voted on......Joe
Posted by Cold Feet (Member # 9882) on :
Lou, right on.
Since when is the CDC paid with our tax dollars to perform market research to support their public relations efforts? This is really a sick joke. Beyond Orwell.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
I agree, lou!
It's about 30 years too late...
I've lost over 10 years of my life to this illness.
Posted by kitkat32 (Member # 9682) on :
Well, if anyone can give them an earful it is Monica!!!
She will get her point across I am sure.
Try not to get arrested, okay. I know your attitude towards people who are ignorant to this disease.
You go girl...
kit
Posted by hcconn22 (Member # 5263) on :
I used to develop and run focus groups and market research.
The idea is good, but the target market is WRONG.
As others noted the problem is not with PUBLIC AWARENESS- the PROBLEM IS PHYSICIAN AND MEDICAL COMMUNITY AWARENESS MORE SPECIFICALLY EARLY IDENTIFICATION, TESTING and TREATMENT.
Again another government project on the wrong track. I live in CT and should go and ***** them out--- I have never seen or heard of any disease where the patients know more than most doctors.
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