Originally published November 18, 2025 - Margaret Henderson
Contributed by Michelle Thompson, Vermont Department of Health
Online community-based outreach is not equally effective in all Vermont counties. In 2021, the Vermont Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/tracking) analyzed radon data to look at the effectiveness of outreach through an online community-based forum called Front Porch Forum.
The analysis revealed that requests for radon test kits from Front Porch Forum outreach were not equally distributed across the state. In Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, also known as the Northeast Kingdom (NEK), there were proportionally fewer requests for radon test kits than in other parts of Vermont. Additionally, the analysis revealed fewer Front Porch Forum user accounts per capita in the NEK, a region of Vermont with limited high-speed internet access. This is especially concerning since we know the bedrock geology in the NEK is associated with higher radon levels.
During Radon Action Month in January 2023, the Vermont Radon and Tracking programs partnered to initiate focused outreach in the NEK. Working with local health offices and trusted community partners like town offices, libraries and health centers, radon awareness campaigns were integrated into NEK communities. Community partners educated community members about radon, helped community members sign up for free radon test kits, and distributed free radon test kits on site.
Data from this project showed that the outreach was successful. All three counties saw an increase in the number of test kits requested because of this community outreach. Overall, there was a 94% increase in radon test kit requests from the NEK. As a result of this increased testing, additional data are now available on Vermont’s Radon Risk Maps for towns where data were previously suppressed due to low testing rates. See https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/tracking/radon#risk-map.
The bottom line – reaching all communities with public health messaging requires multiple approaches. Engaging with community partners allows messages to be shared and received by trusted partners that live and work in the communities they serve.
For more information, email the Vermont Radon Program at radon@vermont.gov.
Source: Adapted from the presentation by Michelle Thompson at the 2025 IEA Radon and Vapor Intrusion Symposium, Fort Worth, Texas
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