Community network linkages during a health controversy.

The communication of complex scientific and technical health risk information in a community context is little understood and seldom studied. The study reported here examines how information about an environmental health controversy is obtained, exchanged, and used within the community as decision makers and public health officials struggle to protect lake-source drinking water for a community of 55,000. Findings suggest that public health officials may need to broaden their communication strategies to reach less integrated groups with quality scientific and technical health risk information.