When we look at health outcome data it can be challenging to make the connections about how an illness may be related to environmental hazards or exposures. Some adverse health effects, like carbon monoxide poisoning, can have quick short-term harmful effects as a result of exposure.
Other adverse health outcomes, like certain cancers, may take years or even decades to develop due to exposure. The Iowa Tracking Network puts Health and Environmental data together to help identify and explore these connections.
Health Tracking
The Iowa Tracking Network includes data in the following areas:
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Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways that carry oxygen in and out of the lungs.
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COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of diseases that cause breathing-related problems.
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Cancer
Cancer happens when normal cells in the body become abnormal and grow or expand, often to other parts of the body.
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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide fumes can build up in places that lack good flow of fresh air. Poisoning can lead to illness or death.
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Congenital and Inherited Disorders
Birth defects can happen as a baby develops in the mother's body. A birth defect may affect how the body looks or works.
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Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. Type 2 may take years to develop in adults.
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General Health Status
Data and measurement of general health status provide information on the health of a population.
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Heart Attacks
A heart attack or acute myocardial infarction, happens when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is stopped.
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Heat-related Illness
Heat-related illnesses includes a range of conditions caused by heat, from heat cramps or rashes to heat exhaustion.
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Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C infects the liver and is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is the most common blood-borne virus.
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Immunization
High vaccination rates is an important safeguards to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.
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Injuries
Injuries are a leading cause of death in Iowa. Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for Iowans ages 1-34.
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Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and if severe, seizures, comas, and even death.
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Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a common tick-borne illness. If left untreated, it can spread to joints, the heart, and nervous system.
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Obesity
Being overweight or obese means that a person has too much body fat that may affect their health.
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Oral Health
Poor oral health can lead to pain and discomfort, infections, and can limit the ability to speak, eat, learn, and work.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a group of infections that are predominately transmitted by sexual intercourse.
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Substance Use and Misuse
Substance use disorders represent clinically significant impairment caused by recurrent alcohol and drug use.
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Tobacco
Tobacco use is still the single greatest preventable cause of death and disease in Iowa.