3U01FD007982-01 Supplement
OMHHE Racial and Ethnic Minority Acceleration for Health Equity Consortium (REACH) Project
Background
This Supplement to REACH grant 3U01FD007982-01 leverages extensive community partnerships and resources and are consistent with the “Equity in Voices” Pillar for the Consortium, REACH. Creating and Testing Key Messages for Cosmetic Label Education, Chemical Smoothers and Fragrance Allergens for diverse communities is the focus for this project. The Project areas are:
A. Chemical Smoothers: Creating and testing key messages for Black/African American and diverse communities; and
B. Fragrance Sensitivity: Creating and testing key messages for cosmetics label education and fragrance allergens for Black/African American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino communities.
A. Chemical Hair Smoother Products
The focus for this project is creating key messages for the Black/African American communities. Some hair smoothing or straightening products contain or may release formaldehyde, a chemical. Exposure to formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing chemicals can irritate the skin, throat, lungs, and eyes. Repeated exposure to formaldehyde can possibly lead to cancer. Recent reports have suggested elevated incident uterine cancer cases.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discourages consumers from buying and using hair smoothing products containing formaldehyde or related ingredients (e.g., formaldehyde, formalin, methylene glycol) for home use. If buying a hair smoothing product at a store or online, the product is required by law to have a list of the ingredients. If a product doesn't include a list of ingredients, the FDA recommends that the product not be purchased. In addition, if using a product in a salon, the product is required by law to list the ingredients and a consumer should request to see the label.
Popular straightening products like hair smoothers, chemical relaxers and blowout treatments were reported to be more commonly used by Black women than any other community.
It is essential that perspectives be obtained from Blacks/African Americans , who have been reported to use these products at higher rates than the general population, in order to determine the preferred communication, messaging and engagement strategies to increase awareness that : certain hair smoothers release formaldehyde during the hair smoothing process; understand the risk associated with home use of these products; how to tell if formaldehyde is in a product; what to discuss with the hair stylist; and how to report concerns and adverse reactions from hair smoothing products that contain or release formaldehyde.
B. Fragrance Sensitivity
The focus for this project is creating and testing key message for cosmetic products as part of the labeling education for fragrance allergens in diverse communities.
Some people are sensitive to fragrances some of which are used as fragrances in cosmetics. In addition to allergic contact dermatitis, fragrance ingredients may also affect the respiratory system because they are essentially vapor and can be inhaled. This is especially true in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and viral respiratory infections.
For people with sensitivities to certain fragrances, inhaling them may result in shortness of breath, the sensation of being suffocated, coughing, phlegm, a runny or stuffy nose, headache, chest tightness, and wheezing. Creating key messages for cosmetics label education and fragrance allergens for diverse communities. This project will support obtaining community perspectives on creating and testing key messages for cosmetics label education and fragrance allergens for diverse communities.
Methods
This project uses community assessments and qualitative data collection methods (i.e. key informant interviews, focus groups) to assist the FDA OMHHE in developing and refining culturally relevant communication and engagement strategies related to: A) hair smoothing products, risk avoidance for products containing or releasing formaldehyde and related chemicals; B) fragrance sensitivity and allergens. Building on existing work, this project will engage Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy (XULA), and Coppin State University College (CSU) of Health Professions and Nursing, both Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as well as community-based organizations in an exploration of diverse community and stakeholder perspectives and needs to advance creation of tailored, culturally competent messages and engagement strategies for diverse populations on both topics.
Population to be served: Black/African Americans, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino communities.
Timeline: 12 months
Timeline
A. Develop community assessments and primary qualitative data collection methods (i.e. community assessments, focus groups and/or, interviews etc.) and leverage HBCU and existing community partners in an exploration of preferred communication and engagement strategies and key messages related to chemical hair smoothers information, risk avoidance, information on reporting adverse events for Black/African Americans.
B. Support creation of key messages for cosmetic products as part of the labeling education for fragrance allergens. The data collection will include community assessments and qualitative data collection: focus groups and interviews to assess community needs as well as unmet needs, and to solicit information on preferred communication and engagement strategies that will increase FDA’s understanding of diverse community perspectives. We will leverage existing community and HBCU partners serving Black/African Americans, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino communities to achieve desired outcomes by answering the question: How do we communicate the range of information on fragrance sensitivity and exposure control to diverse communities?
