VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
In relation to the sewage crisis unfolding along the Tijuana River Valley, volunteers with the county made outreach to over 6,000 homes in the South Bay last week in order to inform residents of a community health assessment the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be conducting in October.
The survey is called a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER). It aims to offer a first-hand view of the health issues and lifestyle effects the sewage spills and odors are causing in the community.
The gathered information will assist local leaders in gaining a clearer understanding of the community’s health concerns and needs, enabling them to plan the next steps in the ongoing response.
Air quality, environmental odors, and contaminated beach waters are key areas of concern for the county, specifically in how it is impacting residents. Data conducted by the county’s Public Health Services shows a trend in gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea as well as symptoms associated with asthma among residents.
San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas referred to this issue as “one of the biggest environmental and social justice crises of our time,” in a press release issued last month on the issue.
“As Chairwoman, I have been advocating tirelessly for a stronger response, and this agreement with the CDC is a direct result of those efforts,” said Chair Vargas.
South Bay residents, to learn more on health implications you or a loved one may be experiencing, visit: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hha/programs/phs/community_epidemiology/south-region-health-concerns.html
