by jbs071209 h3 — July 15, 2009—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have launched a Web-based Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, a surveillance tool that scientists, health professionals, and, for the first time, members of the public can use to track environmental exposures and chronic health conditions.
The Web-based tool unites vital environmental information from across the country, including air and water pollutants and information for some chronic conditions, including asthma, cancer, childhood lead poisoning, and heart disease, into one resource.
While scientists know exposures such as air particle pollution and lead contribute to illnesses, many environmental and health connections remain unproven since detailed health and environmental data existed in separate silos until now.
CDC funds projects in various states that have so far led to 73 public health actions to control potential illnesses from environmental exposures. For example, Massachusetts ranks third in the U.S. for prevalence of asthma. When Massachusetts Tracking staff conducted asthma surveillance and indoor quality assessments in schools, a significant association between mold/moisture and the prevalence of asthma was found. Based on tracking data, Massachusetts staff are working with school officials to correct mold/moisture problems and to enact policy changes for reducing mold and moisture in schools.
Over time, CDC hopes to expand the Tracking Network across all 50 states, and track additional environmental hazards and health conditions to build a more complete picture of environmental public health.
