Socio-Economic Decision-Making for Safer Food
Author: Mae Mack
Faculty Supervisor: C. Tate Holbrook, Ph.D.
Community Partner Project Manager: Daniel Parshley
Abstract:
For nearly a century, the three Superfund Sites and industrial pollution in Glynn County, GA have contributed to the contamination along Georgia’s coastline. These dangerous toxic chemicals pose health risks to women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and children under the age of seven. Those fishing from these areas are, largely, vulnerable populations of minority and low-income individuals. The health concerns are inadequately disseminated among the populations most affected. The gap in knowledge of the socio-economic decision-making processes of the fishers and their extended family network contributes to the unfulfilled need of effective education and awareness outreach programs. The purpose of this project is to investigate and assess socio-economic decision-making of subsistence fishers and their extended family network to consume contaminated seafood to further develop the most effective outreach techniques.