<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>CDC Expands the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network</TITLE>
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<P dir=ltr><SPAN lang=en-us><B></B></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><B></B></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><B><FONT face="Times New Roman">CDC Expands the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P dir=ltr><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Times New Roman">The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is funding another state to participate in its National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network (Tracking Network). Iowa now joins the 22 states and New York City that already are tracking and reporting environment and health data as part of the Tracking Network.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P dir=ltr><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Times New Roman">CDC's funding enables the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to systematically collect environmental health data statewide. IDPH will use this data within the state and also provide it to CDC for use in the agency's expanding nationwide environmental health surveillance system. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P dir=ltr><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Times New Roman">"We're excited to be able to offer funding to Iowa to join the Tracking Network. This is an important step in moving toward our goal of a nationwide Environmental Public Health Tracking Network," said Judith Qualters, Ph.D., chief of CDC's Environmental Health Tracking Branch. "Participation from more states helps strengthen this innovative tool and offers a more complete picture of our nation's environmental health."</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P dir=ltr><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Times New Roman">During Iowa's first two years in the Tracking Network, IDPH will focus on planning and capacity building. Iowa then is expected to implement its statewide tracking network in 2012. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P dir=ltr><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Times New Roman">For more information, please visit the Tracking Network at</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us> </SPAN><A href="http://www.cdc.gov/ephtracking"><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><U><FONT color=#0000ff face=Calibri>http://www.cdc.gov/ephtracking</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Times New Roman">.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><B></B></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><B></B></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><B></B></SPAN></P>
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<DIV><FONT face=Calibri><FONT size=3><STRONG>Tara Chetock, MHA</STRONG> <FONT color=#0000ff><FONT color=#000000>| </FONT>Health Educator</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Environmental Public Health Tracking Program</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Oregon Public Health Division</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Phone: 971.673.1496 | E-mail: <A href="mailto:Tara.A.Chetock@state.or.us"><FONT color=#000000>Tara.A.Chetock@state.or.us</FONT></A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Oregon EPHT: <A href="http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/epht/index.shtml">www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/epht/index.shtml</A></FONT></DIV></FONT></SPAN></BODY></HTML>