INTRODUCTION
At this time,
there is no health education effort associated with the
Marshall Islands Study.
Dr. Jan Naidu (Safety and Environmental Protection,
Brookhaven National Laboratory) has begun a well-received program to explain the
effects of radiation in man.
A companion effort mounted by the Medical Program
will be directed towards education for the most common pathologic conditions
(diabetes, high blood pressure, malnutrition, and dental problems).
This will
help the Marshallese understand the relationship of exposure to radioactive
material in perspective with their overall health.
To be successful,
the program must involve Marshallese, as much as
possible, from the beginning.
In fact,
the program should eventually be run
entirely by Marshallese, with BNL personnel serving only in an advisory
capacity.
Competent indigenous health facilitators can be developed more easily
than almost any other allied health profession with a minimum dollar investment.
There is consiierable interest now in expanding the Marshall Islands
Study.
This is an ideal time to begin an entirely new thrust.
It has been
shown in the past that the people do not understand BNL's role and
responsibility without ongoing meetings and explanations.
that need is met in a structured,
responsible manner.
This would assure