What to know
The Washington (WA) Tracking Program provides meaningful data and information to support public health action. The overall goal is to provide data that policy makers and public health officials can use to improve the health of communities through interventions and targeted resources.
Background
Washington State has seven million residents living in urban and rural settings.
A variety of industry and agriculture practices has contributed to the pollution of Washington's environment.
Air pollution from cars, trucks, shipping, and wildfires can affect individuals' health. This is particularly true among individuals vulnerable to polluted air. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone are widespread pollutants across the state.
Accomplishments
Making Data Available for Everyone
Before the WA Tracking Program was formed, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) did not have a data website where people could search for information about environmental concerns. Local and state health workers had access to a restricted, secure query system of critical health data. However, that system was outdated and quickly becoming more difficult to support.
Today, because of the WA Tracking Program, Washington has a dynamic, integrated web application. Anyone can access it to help them understand and make informed decisions about environmental public health.
Maps Direct Emergency Preparedness Resources
Washington is experiencing increasing wildfires and extreme weather events due to climate change. Mapping provided by Washington Tracking is an important tool for understanding the geographic patterns and the public health effects of climate change.
The department of health’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response used Washington Tracking maps and data to direct resources to the areas with the greatest risk of wildfires ahead of Independence Day fireworks. As a result of this and other efforts, there were no new fires started due to holiday celebrations.
Similarly, the Extreme Heat Incident Management Team used the cooling center map layer to find areas that needed cooling centers. This allowed them to work with partners to establish more cooling centers and ensure better coverage. This resulted in over 3 million Washington residents having access to cooling centers.
Unique Data
All state and local tracking programs collect and display a set of standard data. But individual programs may host other data that are important to their populations. Washington Tracking's unique data include the following.
Milestones
2002: Washington Tracking Program established with CDC funding.
2004: Launched the WA Tracking site.
2015: Released the community mapping tool.
2017: Launched the Environmental Health mobile website.
2018: Published new interactive dashboards.