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  4. EPA-CDC/ATSDR Pilot Collaboration Sites

EPA-CDC/ATSDR Pilot Collaboration Sites

    On July 18, 2007,  EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson and CDC/ATSDR Director Dr. Julie Gerberding signed a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) signaling their intentions to develop collaborative strategies that assist communities coping with health problems that may be related to environmental hazards.

    These pilot sites were selected to participate in this new community-based environmental health initiative:

    • Boston, Massachusetts
    • Cerro Gordo, Iowa;
    • the Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma;
    • Grand Rapids/Kent County, Michigan; and
    • Savannah, Georgia.

    Boston, Massachusetts: EPA and CDC staff will collaborate with the Boston Public Health Commission on its Safe Shops project, designed to reduce emissions from the estimated 600 auto shops clustered in low-income neighborhoods. EPA funds the testing of safer alternatives to toxic materials, and health and environmental education for shop workers. CDC funds a variety of health-related projects including a mobile health van that provides health screenings to targeted auto body and repair shop workers.

    The pilot collaboration sites, which range from urban centers to rural areas, were selected for the project because they had strong local leadership in addressing community issues, experience in working with a wide range of private and public sector partners, and a track record of successfully addressing local health or environmental issues.

    Lessons learned from the pilot sites will form the basis for a federal model of collaboration to improve service delivery for community-based environmental health activities at the national level. Information gathered and tools developed will also expand our community-based tool kits and be used to develop targeted training and education for leadership development.

    Cerro Gordo, Iowa: The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health (CGCDPH) in Mason City, Iowa, is the recipient of a Level I Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) cooperative agreement. EPA, ATSDR, and CDC, as well as other federal, state, and local volunteers, were collaborating with the community to implement the assessment process using the Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health (PACE EH). In October 2007, the Cerro Gordo County Department of Health terminated their cooperative agreement with EPA’s CARE Program. Grand Rapids/Kent County, Michigan, was invited to participate as the fourth pilot site.

    The Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma: EPA and CDC will assist various communities within the 14 counties in northeast Oklahoma that make up the Cherokee Nation in their efforts to improve environmental health.

    Grand Rapids/Kent County, Michigan: EPA and CDC will assist the Healthy Homes Coalition of Western Michigan, Western Michigan Environmental Action Council, Asthma Network of Western Michigan, and Kent County Health Department in developing a Healthy Homes Initiative in Grand Rapids.

    Savannah, Georgia: ATSDR is conducting public health activities in the Hudson Hill, Woodville and West Savannah neighborhoods, in response to local residents’ health concerns about increases of cancer, respiratory illnesses, asthma, and skin rashes. ATSDR’s activities include two health consultations, community updates, and health education workshops. Through ATSDR’s petition process, the first completed health consultation summarized available health data from EPA, CDC, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the International Paper Company related to community concerns regarding air pollutants released by International Paper. The second health consultation evaluates potential air pollution pathways and is expected to be available for public comment later in 2007. As part of the pilot, EPA, CDC, and ATSDR staff will work to build community capacity to address health issues that arise through ATSDR’s public health consultation processes. ATSDR will assist the communities with developing partnerships with industries, businesses, and federal, state and local agencies.