The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), Division of Public Health (DPH) is encouraging Madison County residents to complete a community environmental health survey.
The purpose of the survey is to collect community health concerns about underground natural gas and petroleum pipelines within the county.
Members of a community advocacy group, Citizens Organized for Pipeline Safety (C.O.P.S.), have expressed concern about potential health risks associated with exposure to contaminants with these pipelines and distribution facilities in Madison County.
C.O.P.S. is working with the DPH’s Chemical Hazard Program (CHP) staff to develop, distribute and collect the community environmental health surveys. Information collected from the completed surveys will be used to develop appropriate public health programs for the community.
“This community survey is a very important tool which will help us assess the health concerns of the community,” says Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, acting director of the Division of Public Health.
The survey consists of a five-page questionnaire that asks about health and environmental concerns, health history and basic demographic information (i.e., age, race, etc.). Participation is voluntary and is offered at no cost to residents. Results of this survey are scheduled to be available to residents in summer 2009.
Residents can obtain a survey online at www.health.state.ga.us or by calling 404-463-3768. Surveys are also available at the Madison County Health Department and the Athens Regional Medical Center’s Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support. Individuals can also return completed surveys to the health department or the support center. Surveys can also be submitted via mail or fax to the Chemical Hazards Program as instructed on the survey.
Surveys results are expected to be available to residents in this summer. Reports created from the survey results will not contain any personal identifiers such as names or addresses. These reports will contain grouped information only.
For more information on this or any other public health program, contact Pam Noah with the Chemical Hazards Program at 404-463-3768.
