Tracking population characteristics and vulnerabilities in a standard way over time allows us to

• identify populations or geographies likely to be at-risk for acute and chronic illnesses, exposed to different chemicals in the environment, or impacted by a public health emergency,
• better understand the factors that influence environmental exposures and human health across the United States,
• monitor the effects of public health policies aimed at lessening the environmental burden on various populations, and
• make informed decisions about resources needed for public health response or public safety by
  • identifying community-specific threats and hazards, at-risk populations, and community vulnerabilities
  • evaluating possible scenarios based on time, place, and conditions
  • determining potential resource needs and public health actions which could mitigate or prevent illness, injury, and death.

The Tracking Network uses several national sources, including federal agencies, to obtain state and local data about population characteristics. This information is based on populations as a whole rather than individual members of a particular population. Therefore, individual health risk factors are not included in this information.