January 15, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has been selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to participate in a year-long project to develop messages for dissemination to various target groups during terrorist events. "The intent is to maximize the likelihood that people will act as they should during a terrorist threat and to minimize chaos," said Michael Maetz, V.M.D., professor of public health with the department of epidemiology at UAB and lead investigator for the project.

The bioterrorist events involving anthrax that occurred in 2001 are, in part, the reason for the CDC initiative. "The CDC is keen to have accurate, concise information on hand about various biological, radiological and chemical agents, so it can quickly mass distribute information in the event of a weapons of mass destruction threat," said Maetz. "Messages will be tailored to groups such as the general public; first responders, including emergency medical services, fire and rescue workers; and health care professionals."

Focus group discussions will aid in the development of messages. "Details are still being worked out, but messages are likely to be in variable formats, such as handouts, television and radio public service announcements, and Web site communications," said Maetz. "Content also will vary depending on the target audience, but in general, messages will include information about the agent, how it is transmitted and what to do in the event of exposure."

UAB is one of four primary schools of public health participating in the project. Steven Becker, Ph.D., assistant professor of public health with the department of environmental health sciences at UAB, is co-lead investigator for the project. Other schools are the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, the University of California at Los Angeles and St. Louis University in Missouri. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg and Tulane University in New Orleans are also participating as partners with UAB. All together, the CDC will award schools more than $1 million for the project. UAB will receive $326,143.

Sites are moving forward to train focus group facilitators and to schedule and plan discussion sessions. UAB will host 12 such sessions. "The CDC is working closely with all schools," said Maetz. "This is an important project, and although initially funded for just one year, there is every indication that it will be continued. There is much to be done."