Data, Mapping, and Action: Cancer and the Role of

Environmental Public Health Tracking

Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Control Summit

May 28, 20152:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Wisconsin Environmental Health Tracking (EPHT) Program

Paul D. Creswell, Ph.D.Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Introduction

• Pew Environmental Health Commission Report:– Identified America’s Environmental Health Gap.– Called for a “Nationwide Health Tracking

Network for diseases and exposures”.

• In 2002, EPHT responds to this need:– Provides data on a variety of environmental

exposures and outcomes.– Serves as a repository of state-specific data.

Environmental Public Health Tracking

It would be great if I

knew how to make my data more useful for

local public health.

With the right data,

I could better

address my

community’s issues.

Bridging the Gap

Current Data Partnerships

EPHT currently has data partnerships with: • Wisconsin Cancer Reporting System

(WCRS)• Lead-Safe Wisconsin • Wisconsin Department of Natural

Resources• Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW)• Wisconsin Vital Records Office• Many others

Current EPHT Topic Areas

• Childhood lead poisoning

• Cancer• Ambient air quality

(ozone and PM2.5)• Water quality• Private well testing• Radon• Birth defects

• Reproductive outcomes• Carbon monoxide

poisonings• Hospitalizations for

heart attacks• Hospitalizations for

asthma• Heat vulnerability

County Environmental Profiles

County Environmental Profiles

Dashboard:• Quick view of county.• Several environmental indicators

(e.g., lung cancer).• Red and green “lights” show

where the county sits relative to the state.

• Profile provides detailed information on each data point.

• Every effort has been made to provide data on all variables for all counties.

County Environmental Profiles

How to use:• The goal of the profiles is to use

data to provide a basis for public health actions at the local level.

• A survey conducted by Harvard University found that environmental health was among the top five things that U.S. residents believe affect their health.

• The profiles only scratch the surface of the data available through EPHT.

County Environmental Profileswww.dhs.wisconsin.gov/epht/profile.htm

Enhanced Public Portal

• Coming in the summer of 2015!

• Some sub-county-level data will be available for some measures.

• The new public portal allows for dynamic queries.

https://uatsec.gis.wi.gov/DHS/widhs-health-tracker/

Enhanced Public Portal

Enhanced Portal Features

In partnership with ESRI, EPHT is creating an enhanced public portal. • Sub-county-level (census tract) data will be available for

some measures.• Dynamic map will allow users to pan around.• Find an address feature will allow for individualized

searches.• Seamless switching between maps, charts, and tables.• Printing for reports will be enhanced.

EPHT: State and National

• Wisconsin EPHT is a state-level program:http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/epht/.

• Wisconsin EPHT is part of the national EPHT: http://ephtracking.cdc.gov/.

• National EPHT provides some additional measures (e.g., heat stress), while WI EPHT provides Wisconsin-specific data (e.g., private well data).

Data Repositories

• Public portal:– Provides data-based tools (i.e., charts and

maps) for tracking and communicating environmental public health data.

• Secure portal:– Provides greater data detail as well as

integrated tools that facilitate data exploration and analysis.

Other Resources

• Website• Issue briefs• Newsletter• Listserv• Technical advice

What Can You Do With EPHT Data?

• EPHT aims to assist local public health departments in meeting programmatic needs.

• EPHT data can assist in priority setting and communication strategies.

• EPHT data allows for tracking of progress on health initiatives.

What Can You Do With Maps?• Maps have become an increasingly

prevalent way to represent data.• Maps are images and a picture is

worth 84.1 words!• Images make it easier for us to

absorb complex information.• Maps provide relational data

and tell a story.

What Can You Do With Maps?• Comparisons between regions

allow for an understanding of community-level needs and assets.

• Maps can assist in priority setting and allow us to provide evidence-based solutions where they will have the highest utility to partners throughout Wisconsin.

Thanks!

Contact:Paul D. Creswell, Ph.D.Senior EpidemiologistEnvironmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) ProgramPhone: (608) 267-9752Email: paul.creswell@dhs.wisconsin.gov