The NIEHS Environmental Health Sciences Data Resource Portal: Placing Advanced Technologies in Service to Vulnerable Communities
2007

NIEHS Environmental Health Sciences Data Resource Portal

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Keith Pezzoli, Robert Tukey, Hiram Sarabia, Ilya Zaslavsky, Marie Lynn Miranda, William A. Suk, Abel Lin, Mark Ellisman

Primary Institution: University of California San Diego

Hypothesis

The NIEHS Portal aims to provide decision makers with the data, information, and tools needed to monitor and evaluate human and environmental health impacts of disasters.

Conclusion

The NIEHS Portal serves as a national resource to track environmental hazards following disasters and to focus response resources in areas of greatest need.

Supporting Evidence

  • The portal provides access to demographic, public health, infrastructure, and environmental data.
  • It integrates spatial data sets including infrastructure, contaminant sources, and hurricane damage.
  • The portal aims to facilitate community-linked research and address environmental health concerns.

Takeaway

The NIEHS Portal is like a big online toolbox that helps people understand and respond to health problems caused by disasters like hurricanes.

Methodology

The portal combines geographic information systems (GIS), data mining, and visualization technologies to create a collaborative cyberinfrastructure.

Potential Biases

There may be risks of data misuse and the need for trained professionals to interpret the data accurately.

Limitations

The portal's effectiveness depends on user engagement and the quality of data input by various stakeholders.

Participant Demographics

The portal aims to serve vulnerable communities affected by disasters, particularly in the Gulf Coast region.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1289/ehp.9817

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