About Oregon Tracking Program

Feb. 9, 2024

The Oregon Tracking Program’s mission is to provide data and information on environmental hazards, exposures and health effects in an effort to promote public health action and reduce the burden of environmental related health conditions.

Background

Located in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon has a diverse geography. It is marked by volcanoes, abundant bodies of water, dense evergreen and mixed forest, high deserts and semi-arid shrublands.

Various forms of agriculture, fishing, forestry, and technology companies power Oregon's economy.

Oregon's population is concentrated in the Willamette Valley and central regions.

Accomplishments

Protecting Residents from Harmful Algal Blooms

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issues health advisories for recreational waters during the harmful algal blooms (HABs) season. To help monitor these conditions, Oregon Tracking staff created an online tool to collect and display HABs information to the public. Users fill out surveys to report suspected HABs and related illnesses in humans and animals. The tool displays the data in a map to show where HABs and canine illnesses and deaths are being reported. Since launching these tools in May 2024, survey responses have resulted in several health advisories being issued by OHA. In addition, the data have helped public health professionals identify potential risks and prompted further actions like water sampling. It has also helped the public make safer choices about where to recreate.

Estimating Health Impacts for Transportation Planning

In 2017-2018, Oregon Tracking used the Integrated Transport and Health Impact Model (ITHIM) to calculate health benefits and health care cost for proposed transportation policies in Oregon metro areas. ITHIM uses information about travel behavior to estimate changes in chronic disease and premature deaths associated with lack of physical activity and from air pollution. These are two documented leading causes of death and chronic disease in the greater Portland region. Results from the ITHIM model were included in the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan. This is used to inform current and future transportation needs.

Informing Residents about School Drinking Water Lead Test Results

The Oregon Tracking Program worked closely with other partners to develop an interactive, searchable map that provides public access to schools' drinking water test results for lead. They designed the map as a "story map" which displays lead data map alongside messaging about data collection and interpretation. Oregon Tracking and partners also developed a video demonstrating how to use the map. They shared information for school administrators and parents on lead in school drinking water. And they provided other resources to help reduce children's exposure to lead and other harmful contaminants in schools.