This Earth Week, we are reminded that the environment around us affects our health.
The air we breathe, the water we use and the places where we live all shape how healthy we are. The NC Environmental Public Health Tracking Program uses data to help people understand these connections.
Why Environmental Health Data Is Important
Our program brings together information about the environment and health from across NC. This data helps people:
- See what’s happening in their community
- Understand possible environmental exposures
- Make choices that can protect their health
Explore the NC Environmental Health Data Dashboard
Our main tool is the NC Environmental Health Data Dashboard. This dashboard:
- Shares many types of environmental and health information in one easy-to-use place.
- Includes more than 130 measures to help us understand how different factors affect communities.
With the dashboard, you can:
- Explore trends across counties and over time
- Learn about possible environmental exposures, like toxic chemical release incidents
- Explore health outcomes and community characteristics that may affect risk
- Use the data for planning, outreach and public health decisions
This helps turn complex data into information that supports real-world public health action.
Other Helpful Tools
We also offer tools that focus on specific environmental health topics:
- NC Private Well Water StoryMap: Learn about well water quality, find testing help and protect your drinking water
- NC Fish Consumption Advisories: Learn which locally caught fish are safer to eat
- NC Climate Impact Compendium: Learn how climate-related exposures may affect health
Each of these tools is designed to make information easier to access and use.
Turning Data into Action
Environmental health exposures are not always easy to see. Data helps us learn what is happening, where it’s happening and when to take action.
Public health professionals, local health departments and community partners use these tools to plan, educate and prevent health problems across NC.
This Earth Week, take a moment to explore what’s happening in your community.
Have ideas for new environmental health tools? Share them with us at ncepht_support@dhhs.nc.gov.