The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66432

Michael McGeehin, PhD, MSPH, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, CDC National Center for Environmental Health, MS-E-19, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-639-2500, mam7@cdc.gov

In 2002, Congress provided the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with $17.5 million to begin developing a nationwide environmental public health tracking network and to increase environmental public health capacity within state and local health departments. Key to the development of effective tracking programs at the national, state, and local level is increased collaboration between traditional health and environmental entities, establishment of partnerships with academia, and creation of mechanisms to exchange ideas and “best practices” between health and environmental agencies and academia. CDC is currently working with 17 states, three localities, and three schools of public health to begin building a standards-based and interoperable nationwide tracking (surveillance) network that will allow direct electronic data reporting and linkage of health effect, exposure, and environmental hazard data Schools of public health, which are funded as Centers of Excellence in Environmental Public Health Tracking, are providing support to the state and local programs and CDC through methods development, training, and provision of scientific guidance. Additionally, all of the funded partners are working closely together to conceptualize and implement the network, develop network standards, evaluate the utility of environmental public health indicators, establish stakeholder needs and priorities, and develop communication strategies. At the national level, CDC has established a strong partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency and is building on other ongoing efforts to develop, standardize, and promote electronic reporting of data and improve collaboration across existing health surveillance programs.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key challenges and processes for establishing an integrated national environmental public health tracking network in this country.
• Understand the roles and contributions of some of the partners involved in developing the network and improving environmental public health capacity.
• Describe how academic institutions and state and local partners can leverage resources and expertise to achieve specific tracking objectives.

Keywords: Surveillance, Public Health Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention