Iowans wary of link between health and environment

A survey finds two-thirds of Iowans questioned have had their health or a family member’s health effected by environmental problems with the air, water or food. Amy Goffe is spokeswoman for the public health education group Health Track, which conducted the survey. She says people in Iowa believe there is a connection between the environment and their health.Goffe says most Iowans surveyed favored the nationwide tracking of chronic diseases like asthma, birth defects and childhood cancer. Such a network could track and monitor chronic diseases, identify potential environmental factors, and provide an early warning system to the public. Goffe says the survey was conducted in Iowa to make people aware that tracking of environmental concerns is not taking place.The non-profit Washington D-C-based Health Track surveyed 800 registered Iowa voters in June. Goffe says they came from cities across the state, all age groups, both sexes, and with varying levels of education.