Beyond the Data – Tracking Environmental Health Data for Public Health Decision Making

Summary

In 'Beyond the Data,' Dr. Phoebe Thorpe interviews Dr. Heather Strosnider about the CDC's Environmental Public Health Tracking program. They discuss how environmental factors like air pollution and radon impact health, emphasizing the importance of standardized testing and data collection. The conversation highlights the program's role in understanding and preparing for climate change's health effects and supporting 'Health in All Policies' initiatives in Massachusetts. The program's future aims to expand capacity in data management, environmental health science, and partnerships to inform policy decisions.

Takeaways

• 🌿 The Environmental Public Health Tracking program focuses on understanding the impact of environmental factors like chemical, physical, and biological hazards on health.
• 📈 An example highlighted was the correlation between air pollution and respiratory emergency department visits, emphasizing the need to track environmental health data.
• 🏠 Radon, a naturally occurring element, was discussed as a significant indoor environmental hazard, with the program encouraging home testing and mitigation when necessary.
• 📊 There is a recognized lack of comprehensive data on where to test for radon, indicating the program's role in centralizing and standardizing data collection for better understanding of environmental risks.
• 🌡️ Climate change is considered an environmental health issue, potentially leading to increased extreme weather events with direct impacts on health.
• 🌍 The program collaborates with climate change partners to use data for predicting future weather events and assisting communities in adapting to these changes.
• 🛠️ The data from the tracking program is standardized and vetted, providing reliable information for decision-makers to make informed choices regarding environmental health policies.
• 🔍 Massachusetts is moving towards a 'Health in All Policies' approach, utilizing tracking data to assess the health impact of policy changes and decisions.
• 🔑 The national tracking network and state/local portals provide access to a wide range of environmental health data, facilitating public understanding and involvement.
• 🌟 The program's value lies not only in the data provided but also in the expertise and tools available to interpret the data and address decision-makers' concerns.
• 🚀 Looking forward, the program aims to grow its capacity in technical and data management areas, as well as in environmental health science and epidemiology to better inform decisions.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the CDC's Environmental Public Health Tracking program?

The main focus of the CDC's Environmental Public Health Tracking program is to understand how the environment impacts our health by tracking chemical, physical, and biological hazards that can be found in our air, water, communities, and homes.

How does the tracking program help in understanding the impact of air pollution on health?

The tracking program helps by providing data on air pollution and its correlation with health outcomes, such as respiratory emergency department visits, allowing for a better understanding of the relationship between air quality and health.

What is Radon and why is it important to test for it in homes?

Radon is a naturally occurring element found in rocks and soil that can seep into homes from the ground. It is important to test for Radon levels in homes because it can cause health problems, and testing helps identify if mitigation is needed.

What is the significance of data standardization in the Environmental Public Health Tracking program?

Data standardization is significant because it allows for centralized and consistent data collection and interpretation, which helps in identifying patterns, understanding risks, and informing decisions related to environmental health.

How does the tracking program address the issue of Radon testing in homes?

The program addresses the issue by centralizing and standardizing Radon test data, which helps in understanding where future tests are needed and where areas require further testing to mitigate risks.

How is climate change considered an environmental health issue in the context of the tracking program?

Climate change is considered an environmental health issue because it can lead to an increase in extreme weather events, such as storms, hurricanes, flooding, and heat waves, which are physical hazards that can cause injury, illness, or even death.

What role does the tracking program play in helping communities adapt to future climate change risks?

The tracking program collaborates with climate change partners to use data to understand where events might occur in the future and helps communities prepare and adapt to those future risks, similar to public health preparedness.

How does the state of Massachusetts utilize tracking data in its 'Health in All Policies' approach?

Massachusetts uses tracking data to assess how changes in various sectors might affect health, allowing decision-makers to make informed choices that consider health implications across all policies.

What makes the data provided by the Environmental Public Health Tracking program valuable for decision-makers?

The data is valuable because it is fully vetted, developed based on standards in collaboration with environmental and health partners, and is standardized across the US, providing reliable and interpretable information to address decision-makers' concerns.

How can individuals access the data from the Environmental Public Health Tracking program?

Individuals can access the data through the national tracking network and state and local grantee portals, where they can explore standardized data on various environmental health topics, such as air pollution, asthma, drinking water, and more.

What are the future directions for the Environmental Public Health Tracking program?

The program aims to grow its capacity in technical and data management, data collection, and environmental health science and epidemiology. It also seeks to expand partnerships and increase awareness to help decision-makers connect the data they need to address environmental health issues effectively.