The second phase of this currently three-phase project focused on educating high-risk individuals on the risks of consuming raw molluscan shellfish, using previously developed educational brochures. High-risk individuals were reached through partnership efforts with groups such as the American Liver Foundation and the Iron Overload Deficiency Foundation, whose primary audiences are individuals with specific medical conditions that place them at high risk for Vibrio vulnificus infection if they eat raw molluscan shellfish. The project employed a four-part approach: (1) development and dissemination of educational materials; (2) pre-pilot distribution and analysis of self-administered questionnaires to assess the effectiveness of educational materials; (3) state health department identification and involvement of medical providers responsible for treating high-risk individuals; and (4) provider dissemination of information and materials to high-risk patients.
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