Data Challenges for Environmental Factors and Gastrointestinal Illness in Great Lakes Cities

Session: 28. - Pilot Projects and Future Visions: Transdisciplinary Collaboration for Applied Research

Michael Mezzacapo, IJC, [email protected]
Tim Takaro, Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Health Sciences, [email protected]
David Buckeridge, International Joint Commission/McGill University, [email protected]
Seth Foldy, International Joint Commission/Medical College of Wisconsin, [email protected]
Jennifer Boehme, International Joint Commission, [email protected]

Abstract

Many Canadian and US cities rely on drinking water from the Great Lakes. Climate change is expected to impact several factors linked to human gastrointestinal illness and drinking water. The present study assesses the feasibility of collecting environmental and health data in a transboundary setting to establish potential associations between gastrointestinal illness and weather events. 

We will outline the challenges encountered in data discovery and acquisition from appropriate health data source contacts and local and state/provincial agencies as a case study for transboundary health and environmental data integration. Water distribution systems in both countries adhere to similar, but slightly different bacterial water quality standards, and data was examined for resolution, completeness, and timeframe. 

Analytical techniques, sampling frequency, and quality control were subject to the processes and parameters in use at each responsible agency. In general, environmental data was publicly available and of sufficient quality. Health and environmental data of sufficient quantity and quality was available from the four cities to enable examination of the relationship between extreme weather events and cases of acute gastrointestinal illness. Future work will focus on the statistical and spatial analysis of these relationships.

1. Keyword
climate change

2. Keyword
human health

3. Keyword
environmental health

4. Additional Keyword
data acquisition

5. Additional Keyword
water distribution

6. Additional Keyword
urban watersheds