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| Practice Type: |
Promising |
| Program Name: |
Spotlight on Environmental Health, West Nile Virus |
| Organization: |
Public Health – Seattle & King County, Environmental Health Services Division |
| Web site: |
www.metrokc.gov/health/westnile/index.htm |
| Overview: |
“Spotlight on Environmental Health, West Nile Virus” was produced as a special “Spotlight on EH” civic television show. “Spotlight” is an occasionally produced, yet frequently shown “live to tape” studio interview show that is seen on 17 civic stations in Seattle and King County. The West Nile Virus show was produced differently; it was produced completely “in the field.” Although it was more expensive, it is also designed to be more effective as an educational tool. Viewers were able to see real mosquito habitats that might be around their homes and neighborhoods, how to clean up those habitats, and how to protect themselves when out during times mosquitoes were most active, and how the natural environment in parks can keep the population of mosquitoes low. This video also featured an interview with a professor at the University of Washington on emerging diseases, who answered the question “why and how would diseases from countries on the other side of the world get there?” and interviewed public health’s communicable disease expert on what West Nile is, what the symptoms are, who is most susceptible, and when, if one has symptoms, should they call the doctor.
The show was scheduled several times a week by all the stations during mosquito season in 2004 (June through mid-October). It will be on again this mosquito season.
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| Year Submitted: |
2005 |
| Responsiveness and Innovation: |
West Nile virus is a mosquito-born disease that can be particularly severe, even fatal, for seniors, small children, and immune compromised individuals. Originally from Africa, it made its first appearance in birds and people in the United States in 1999 in New York. It quickly spread west, and by 2002 had reached Washington. At this writing, it has not been found in King County, but it is only a matter of time. We wanted to make the community aware of the problem and steps they could take to protect themselves from West Nile.
This is a culture that gets most of its news and information from television style reporting (whether on a TV or computer). King County, like many jurisdictions in the country, has a civic television station, and they welcome programs that offer information and education that their viewers can use. We produce occasional programs under the name of “Spotlight on Environmental Health” for the KCTV. “Spotlight” often has a short video portion wrapped into a studio interview format. However, the West Nile show was taped completely “in the field,” so that viewers could see and identify real mosquito habitat, could understand how West Nile is spread, learn steps they can take to keep their neighborhoods free of mosquito habitat and protect themselves from mosquito bites.
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| Agency and Community Roles: |
Environmental Health wrote, produced and sponsored most of the show. King County’s Multi – media division shot and edited it. The King County Department of Natural Resources (DNR) partnered with Environmental Health to fund the production, and contribute content. The Director of DNR was taped at one of the county parks talking about mosquitoes and their natural predators. “Person on the street” interviews were conducted to capture on tape what the community’s knowledge of West Nile was, and any concerns they might have. A senior citizen discussion group agreed to discuss West Nile virus on tape. King County Television and 12 other municipal television stations in King County aired the show several times a week through the mosquito season, and will begin to air it again in 2005 in late spring. Senior Centers were given copies of the show to share with their participants.
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| Costs and Expenditures: |
Costs, in kind and actual ($7,280):
- Staff time: Health Education Consultants
- Camera man/editor (same person) – flat fee
- Duplication and distribution of videos to civic TV stations & Senior Centers
What funding sources support this practice?
- It is part of these Health Educators’ job description to develop educational materials, therefore, this was part of their regular duties and considered “in-kind.”
- The DNR co-sponsored with a cash contribution of $1000, plus in-kind as content and an interview.
The West Nile “Spotlight on EH” show cost more to produce than other “Spotlight” programs because the show was produced outside the studio and on location. Costs are much less when the show is produced “live to tape interview” format in the studio with a only a 5 minute “on location” video short inserted.
EH has applied for 2 grants in 2005 to do a series on the built environment and health. Other shows will be produced as time and resources allow.
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| Implementation: |
West Nile virus is a mosquito-born disease that can be particularly severe, even fatal, for seniors, small children, and immune compromised individuals. Originally from Africa, it made its first appearance in birds and people in the United States in 1999 in New York. It quickly spread west, and by 2002 had reached Washington. At this writing, it has not been found in King County, but it is only a matter of time. We wanted to make the community aware of the problem and steps they could take to protect themselves from West Nile.
This is a culture that gets most of its news and information from television style reporting (whether on a TV or computer). King County, like many jurisdictions in the country, has a civic television station, and they welcome programs that offer information and education that their viewers can use. We produce occasional programs under the name of “Spotlight on Environmental Health” for the KCTV. “Spotlight” often has a short video portion wrapped into a studio interview format. However, the West Nile show was taped completely “in the field,” so that viewers could see and identify real mosquito habitat, could understand how West Nile is spread, learn steps they can take to keep their neighborhoods free of mosquito habitat and protect themselves from mosquito bites.
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| Sustainability: |
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| Lessons Learned: |
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