What to know
Nebraska was awarded funding from CDC's Tracking Program in 2022. The Nebraska Tracking Program aims to continue building public health capacity and expertise in environmental health surveillance. They will also modernize data systems to empower people to make information-driven health decisions.
Important things to know
Nebraska Tracking will provide a central source for environmental public health data in the state. Data and information will be made available to help drive actions to improve community health.
More information about the Nebraska Tracking Program will be available soon.
Accomplishments
Protecting Residents from Wildfire Smoke
Smoke from fires can impact air quality and public health in Nebraska. Each year, the neighboring state of Kansas holds prescribed burns, which can affect the air quality of regions across Nebraska. Before the Nebraska Tracking program, no environmental health staff helped decide when a smoke advisory was issued. Nebraska Tracking joined the workgroup as a subject matter expert to help decide when an advisory is issued.
Program staff also worked with internal partners to create a new website for posting smoke advisories. This information is easy to access and is used by residents to avoid significant air quality impacts to their health. Also, Nebraska Tracking distributed 30 new air quality monitoring sensors to local health departments across the state. These will enhance statewide air quality measurements, filling in monitoring gaps in rural areas identified throughout Nebraska.
Contacts
Website: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Nebraska-Tracking.aspx
Email: dhhs.tracking@nebraska.gov