Fallon, Nevada

In 2001, a rare cluster of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 16 children was confirmed in a small farming community. A CST member visited the site and assessed community concerns, which revolved around toxic stigma due to media coverage and fear for children’s health. SAMHSA and ATSDR subsequently conducted a more comprehensive needs assessment and found that the community wanted to use available state grant funds to hire a social worker to provide psychosocial and practical support to affected families. They also wanted media training for community leaders to combat the toxic stigma being created by the media. The CST worked with community representatives to outline the process that would help achieve these goals.