NAPHSIS Conference June 4-8, 2006 San Diego, CA The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program NAPHSIS Conference June 4-8, 2006 San Diego, CA Judith R. Qualters, Ph.D. Chief, Environmental Health Tracking Branch Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects National Center for Environmental Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Health Crisis Chronic diseases responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths in U.S. Chronic diseases strike > 1/3 of population Health care costs for chronic diseases > 75% of U.S. $1 trillion health care budget

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Decision-making Foundation: Tracking Data DATA INFORMATION KNOWLEDGE Without adequate tracking, local, state, and federal officials cannot know the true scope of existing health problems and may not recognize new diseases until many people have been affected.

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 At-A-Glance Tracking Network Web-based, Standards- based (PHIN) Compatible with EPA Exchange Network Exists at the local, state, & national level Provides direct access to distributed data sources Comprised of a core set of health effects, exposures and hazards Flexible design-allows state/local track unique priorities Includes central catalog of EPHT data and data owners Access based on the roles and purpose of the customer Includes tools for linkage, visualization, analysis, and reporting Complies with HIPAA

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Tracking Network Planning Framework What Do We Want? Which System Does What? What Technology? What Do We Do? What Do We Have? What Data Standards? Implementation Plan

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 CDC’s EPHT Program Grantees

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Examples of Projects using Vital Statistics Data Adverse reproductive outcomes, SIDS, autism, and mental retardation and air toxics (including pesticides) and blood lead levels Developmental effects and PCBs in Berkshire County LBW and volatile organics in drinking water Childhood cancer and air toxics (including pesticides) Birth defects, LBW, prematurity and disinfection byproducts in drinking water LBW and arsenic in drinking water Cancer and TCE ground water contamination Tracking CO and Pesticide poisoning Birth defects and air quality

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Results from Funded State/local Projects Increased capacity Increased availability and enhancement of existing data Built new data systems Demonstrated feasibility/methods for linking data Developed analytic tools Took public health action CDC will complete assessment and publish report.

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Data Driven Action Promoting Healthy Pregnancies in Maine Identified arsenic in well water Arsenic in well water linked to low birth weight Public Health Action: Updated Maine well water quality hotline to advise pregnant women about precautions for drinking water consumption

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Challenges to Implementing a Tracking Network Data availability/access/quality Methods and Tools Capacity Partnership and Communication

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Solutions: One State’s Approach “…overcame barriers to data integration by developing methods and tools useful to our agency program partners” Automated routing of case information Matching and record linkage Geo-coding and GIS Decision support – Methods for analysis and interpretation

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Solutions: National Approach Partnership and Collaboration Identification and adoption of standards Tools development Training

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 What’s Next for Tracking? From Planning to Implementation

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 New Tracking Funds in 2006 (CDC RFA-EH06-601)  To provide state health departments the resources to implement statewide EPHT networks that will be part of the National EPHT Network  About 15 awards  Project Period: 5 Years

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Tracking Network Implementation Functions: Provide Nationally Consistent Data and Measures Describe and Discover Data Exchange Data Provide Data Management and Analysis Tools Inform and Interact with the Public

Improving Security, Systems, and Statistics San Diego, CA June 4 th – 8 th, 2006 Information is a process…not a possession Data must be: Sharable Comparable Presentable Understandable ….to be information

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