Sample Press Release

NEWS RELEASE
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
RSA Tower

201 Monroe Street, Suite 914 Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone 334-206-5300 Fax 334-206-5520
www.adph.org

Coastal residents will be asked to participate in household survey on Aug. 26 and 27
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Melissa Morrison
(251) 947-1644
Ricky Elliott
(251) 947-6206
Representatives from the Alabama Department of Public Health will be conducting household
surveys of residents in south Baldwin and Mobile counties on Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 between 10
a.m. and 7 p.m. This is part of an ongoing collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention and Alabama Department of Mental Health to assess community needs and
health after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. In addition to Alabama Department of Public Health staff,
Mobile County Health Department and Project Rebound staff will be conducting the surveys.
Last August residents were surveyed about their health and well-being in the wake of the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill. On August 26 and 27, the surveys are going to be repeated in the
same areas to assess the current health in those communities and will be compared to the
previous survey in an effort to identify any changes or new issues. In addition, inquiries will be
made about community preparedness for emergencies.
“Following any type of disaster, public health and emergency management professionals must
be prepared to respond to and meet the needs of the people,” State Health Officer Dr. Donald
Williamson said. “We greatly appreciate and value the cooperation and participation of the
public.”
Assessment teams of two to three surveyors each will be conducting the surveys. Households
will be selected randomly to participate in the survey. All surveyors will be wearing identification
badges and will be able to provide a phone number for identification verification. The survey
should take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete.
The data collected will be analyzed by the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health
Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects Health Studies Branch.
If you have any questions please contact Melissa Morrison at (251) 947-1644.
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