recording of mortality in the two communities
(without
introducing new methods of data collection at this stage).
Here the point is to be emphasized to our collaborator,
that
ascertainment of mortality must be identical in the exposed
and control communities.
That is,
ties in the affected community,
deaths not otherwise recorded,
community,
or discounted.
extra health care
activi-
that might lead to finding
must be balanced in the control
It is expected that such prelimi-
nary or planning investigations as an examination of mortality will have a beneficial educational effect in the circumstances.
No more need be
said at this time about a
study of health effects,
except
to mention
later,
actual
that the sampling
frame discussed above would provide the basis for the health
Study also
(of course,
a similar
frame would
require to be
developed for any control population) .
Summary of Recommendations
Controversy can be avoided by rewriting the proposal
to
separate:
‘planning
(i}
determination of retention
levels;
(1i)
for health studies not presently accessible or
advisable;
(ii)
a possible
future
study of health.
The greater part of available funds and energy should
be channeled to determination of accurate levels of internal
contamination.
Educational and preliminary planning activi-~
ties to develop sufficient epidemiologic methodology for
continuing,
scientifically valid study of heaith,
are fully justified.
a
3009432
however,