Illness On The Rise

Chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and asthma are the leading cause of death in America, leading to 4 out of 5 deaths each year. Research shows disturbing trends:

• Asthma in the U.S. is up 75% since 1980 and has more than doubled among children.
  
  
• Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality in the U.S.
  
  
• Learning disabilities have increased 50% during the last 10 years.
  
  
• The number of people suffering from neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis and metabolic diseases like diabetes has risen 20%.

Many chronic diseases are linked to environmental hazards. (see section below)

Polluters release billions of pounds of toxic substances into our environment every year, many with the ability to cause or aggravate disease:

· Studies have shown how smog and air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, and in some cases contribute to the onset of asthma.

In Young Rhesus Monkeys Smog Shown to Set Up Lungs for Asthma National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (UC Davis) - Press Release Only

· A recent New England Journal of Medicine study found that for many forms of cancer, environmental hazards play a greater role than genetics.

Environmental and Heritable Factors in the Causation of Cancer -- Analyses of Cohorts of Twins from Sweden, Denmark, and Finland The New England Journal of Medicine - Abstract Only

· The National Academy of Sciences estimates that one fourth of all developmental disorders are influenced by toxic exposures.

Scientific Frontiers in Developmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment The National Academy of Sciences

For decades, residents of the small mining town of Libby watched friends and neighbors become ill, and in many cases die from respiratory problems. After a recent federal investigation, officials have determined that the local mine released tons of tremolite - a highly toxic form of asbestos - into the environment. Exposure to the hazard has resulted in nearly 200 deaths to date. Had a Nationwide Health Tracking Network been in place, the respiratory diseases would have been tracked, and prevention strategies implemented much sooner.

A Case Study: Pesticides in Mississippi

1,700 residents of rural Jackson County had to be temporarily relocated after it was discovered that a dangerous pesticide intended for outdoor use had been illegally sprayed in hundreds of homes in the area. This came to light when citizens began complaining of influenza-like symptoms, and health officials began to investigate the incident. The pesticide, methyl parathion (MP), attacks the central nervous system, causing nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and in severe cases, death. Fortunately, no one died during this episode, but the disaster does reiterate the need for a Nationwide Health Tracking Network. Had a national early warning system for pesticide poisoning been in place, officials may have detected this problem sooner and halted illegal pesticide applications in other areas.

More information on these case studies can be found in the Pew Environmental Health Commission's Report, "America's Environmental Health Gap."

90% of Americans say environmental factors like pollution, waste and chemicals are important contributors to diseases.

68% of Americans mistakenly believe that the government already has a national tracking system to monitor chronic diseases like asthma, cancer, and birth defects and their links to environmental hazards or are not sure.

For a more complete listing of public perceptions of Environmental Health Risks, click here.