Using science to respond to public exposures from chemical hazards during emergencies in England.

This paper describes how toxicological considerations are an essential component of acute chemical incident response, and how the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), as Category 1 responders under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004), provide that expert, authoritative, and timely advice to protect people from exposure to harmful substances. Background information about the general response to emergencies is provided, which gives context to how scientific advice has a positive impact. The importance of chemical identification and speciation, local, and systemic effects, and exposure characteristics are described. The public health risk assessment is considered in conjunction with mixtures, mass casualties, recovery, and psychological impacts. A brief summary of the type of incidents that the UKHSA are notified about is also provided.

The Effect of Positive and Negative Poster Messages on Organ Donor Registration.

BACKGROUND: There is a mismatch between the number of people who require transplants and the number of organ donors. Promotional materials have been shown to increase rates of organ donor registration. This study assessed the impact on the intention to join the organ donor registry of a gain-framed message about lives saved through organ donation compared to a loss-framed message about lives lost waiting for a transplant. METHODS: Two posters were designed that were identical other than the slogan. One slogan was gain-framed: "One organ donor can save 9 lives!" and the other loss-framed: "3 people die every day in the UK waiting for an organ transplant." Twenty copies of each were distributed between hospitals in Cambridge and Newcastle, UK, for 20 weeks. After 10 weeks, the gain-framed and loss-framed posters swapped locations. Each poster had a QR code that linked to the online organ donor register sign-up form, and the click-through rate was used to determine registration. Analysis was performed using a 2-tailed sign binomial test. RESULTS: Sixty-eight registrations occurred over a 20-week period. Overall, there was no significant difference in registrations between gain- and loss-framed posters (37 vs 31, P = .54). However, poster location influenced registration, as prior to the location swap there was a significant difference in gain-framed vs loss-framed posters (28 vs 10, P = .005). Additionally, registration was significantly higher in Cambridge vs Newcastle (47 vs 21, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Posters can increase organ donor register (ODR) registration independent of gain- or loss-framing. However, poster location, both intra- and inter-hospital, significantly influences effectiveness.

School education to increase organ donation and awareness of issues in transplantation in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Over 6000 people are on the United Kingdom organ transplant waiting list, and approximately three people die each day due to a lack of donors. Social deprivation status has been shown to affect registration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of school level education at increasing awareness of the issues surrounding organ donation and organ donor registration, and the effect of socioeconomic deprivation and age has on these outcomes. METHODS: A 15-minute presentation about organ donation and the issues in transplantation was given to secondary school students from the United Kingdom. An optional questionnaire was then distributed. RESULTS: 1155 paper questionnaires were completed from nine schools. The average age was 15.5 (SD = 0.5) years. Before the presentation, 10% of students were on the ODR. Following the presentation, the number of students who were on the ODR or planned to join significantly increased to 56%, independent of age (P < 0.0001). Similarly, there was a significant increase in Likert scores for awareness of the issues in transplantation, independent of age (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This early educational presentation significantly increased awareness of the issues in transplantation and planned organ donor registration, independent of age and deprivation.