Risk Communication as an Alternative Intervention to Improve the Environmental Health in Children in an Area with Various Environmental Problems

Children are the most vulnerable group to certain environmental risks, which is why this project focused on those children living in a marginalized area located north of the city of San Luis Potosí. It was found that in that area, children were exposed to multiple environmental health risks. The objective of this project was to design, implement and evaluate a Risk Communication Program (RCP) to improve children’s environmental health. Based on the health risk assessment and risk perception analysis, an RCP was designed. The topics of healthy eating and hygiene were addressed, as well as the risks of exposure to fluoride and lead. In the first stage, the target audience was made up of 62 parents and 10 teachers from two schools. The second stage, which had support and participation of parents and teachers, involved working with 338 students (3–15 years of age). Upon concluding the implementation of the program, knowledge integration and decrease in exposure to fluoride and lead were found in children in the area; as well as changes in habits in the participating families.