 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CONFERENCE. Every year Esri (the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping) hosts a Federal GIS Conference. The 2023 Esri Federal GIS Conference was hosted at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on February 7th and 8th and highlighted how government agencies are using geographic information system software. DOEE attendees had the opportunity to learn about Esri‘s latest product releases and experience a variety of hands-on workshops.
This year’s conference theme was “GIS–Linking Science to Action.” Through workshops and presentations, attendees learned how to use technology to achieve data driven outcomes, and explore other technologies that were highlighted at the conference, which included: Story Maps, Survey123, ArcGIS Earth, other functionalities coming to ArcGIS Pro, and much more!
A highlight from the conference was attending workshops that showed how other states and territories were using ArcGIS to advance public health goals. A workshop titled “Public Health Data and System Modernization with ArcGIS” highlighted user success stories. The Georgia Director of Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology presented on how they have overcome technical barriers in public health surveillance. The Pima, AZ, Health Department Informatics and Data Services Manager talked about how they created and grew an innovative GIS program with COVID funding. The Director of Chronic Disease Programs for the City Bethlehem, PA, Health Bureau covered how a local health department embraced and integrated GIS into all aspects of operations from data collection to analysis, visualization and sharing. They also touched on the strategic planning with GIS.
Three states provided demonstrations on how they were able to address and increase the number of people vaccinated for COVID-19 in their state. Each of these states created dashboards to communicate in real time the spread and rate of the disease with the public. The Chronic Disease Programs for the City Bethlehem, PA, demonstrated how they utilized Survey123 to advance their goals of increasing vaccination numbers within the city of Bethlehem. Survey123 allows the user to easily create online survey forms that can be used to collect answers on different devices like a phone, tablet or computer.
 Agencies throughout the District have adopted the use of ArcGIS to further District goals and gain community insight. Check out galleries of how DC is using GIS:
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GIS Maps- visualization of data on geographic maps, including a local cherry tree finder, historical data on buildings in DC, and where to find free WiFi.
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Story Maps- this is storytelling with maps. It is a web map that integrates maps, legends, text, photos, and video and provides functionality, such as swipe, pop-ups, and time sliders, that helps users explore the content such as uncovering the history of the District’s buried streams, the DDOT paving plan, and a history of the Barry Farm Dwellings, from Freedmen’s Village to modern tenant activism
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ArcGIS Dashboards- a view of various geographic information and data on one screen, including tracking DC’s goal of covering 40% of the District with a healthy tree canopy
To determine if your household is eligible for LPRAP, search for your address. If your private side pipes are lead, galvanized, or brass and the public spaces pipes are not, you are eligible for this program.
You can apply online, by email, or through mail:
DOEE’S GEARING UP TO CELEBRATE ASTHMA AWARENESS MONTH AND HEALTHY HOMES MONTH
Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. In addition, World Asthma Day will be observed this year on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Since May is peak allergy season, it’s the perfect time to educate about the prevalence and impact of these respiratory diseases, as well as the connection between housing conditions and respiratory illnesses.
DOEE will use the month of May to educate the public about Asthma and Allergy awareness through a combination of online and in person engagement.
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Additionally, DOEE is gearing up to provide education and outreach about home health during Healthy Homes Month, created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH).
Each June, healthy housing advocates across the U.S. come together in recognition of National Healthy Homes Month to increase awareness of housing-related health hazards, lead poisoning prevention and the overall principles of a safe and healthy home. This year DOEE has some exciting activities on the horizon:
Stay linked to DOEE’s social media throughout May and June for:
- Community events where DOEE will be on hand with housing tips and resources
- Tips and resources to keep your home healthy and safe
- Informational videos about maintaining a healthy home and recognizing home hazards.
If you would like to partner with DOEE for Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month or Healthy Homes Month, such as having us come table at your event, contact Gift Oboite-Ukpolo at gift.oboite@dc.gov or 202-308-4263.
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 ASTHMA TRIGGERS – POLLEN AND MOLD DASHBOARD
Pollen and mold are common triggers for asthma attacks. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology has a National Allergy Bureau™ dedicated to collecting, recording, and sharing pollen count and mold level data. Know before you go! Visit the AAAAI Website to explore the map to find a counter station in your area. Click on the station heading to view the allergen report.
More information about asthma triggers can also be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
DC 311 MOBILE APP IS NEW & IMPROVED
The Office of Unified Communications (OUC) has introduced upgrades to all of the District’s current 311 platforms, which include the web portal, internal agent portal, servicing agency interfacing systems, and the mobile app. These user-friendly improvements incorporate recommendations and feedback from District residents and stakeholders.
On the DC 311 Mobile App, residents can submit various service requests while on-the-go! Some of these services include bulk trash collection, rodent treatment, fire safety inspections, tree removal, DC dog park maintenance and many more.
Key improvements to the DC 311 system include:
- Department app integration to allow agency personnel to provide real-time status updates from the field
- Automatic picture geolocation tagging
- Image pick-list availability to help better clarify what services are needed
- Detailed service request activity tracking
- Completed service request life cycle views
- Enhanced duplicate service request detection features
Download the app to see how DC 311 and the how all the city’s services can benefit you! The app can be downloaded using the Apple App Store and GooglePlay.
 NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK The American Public Health Association has chosen April 3rd – 9th, 2023 as National Public Health Week (NPHW). The 2023 NPHW theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.” Our cultures have always shaped our health. We learn from the communities we're born in and that we build together. For this NPHW, we look to community leaders as our health leaders. We celebrate the unique and joyful ways different cultures focus on health. And we look to how we can learn from each other, with humility and openness. Visit the NPHW website for more information, including toolkits and fact sheets.
 BIDEN-HARRIS “GET THE LEAD OUT” PARTNERSHIP On January 26th the Biden-Harris Administration announced an innovative partnership to leverage existing efforts and funding to meet their commitment to accelerate the replacement of lead pipes by the end of the decade. The Biden-Harris Get the Lead Out Partnership is a coalition of federal government, states, Tribes, local communities, nongovernmental organizations, water utilities, labor unions, and private companies which has committed to a framework of health-based justice-centered principles of lead service line replacement and has pledged to work together to identify new opportunities, resources, and actions that we can take together to help accelerate the Administration’s goal of accelerating the replacement of 100 percent of the Nation’s lead service lines in 10 years.
The National Center for Healthy Housing is one of over one hundred partners joining the effort. The NCHH outlines health-informed, justice-centered principles to reduce exposure to lead and protect families and communities:
- Prioritize lead remediation efforts in overburdened and underserved communities, who are more likely to be exposed to unsafe lead in their homes and environments.
- Promote the replacement of the entire lead service line, both the portion owned by the water system and the portion owned by the homeowner, to ensure that the full impact of lead pipes is addressed, without creating cost barriers or added financial burden for residents.
- Explore all available funding opportunities to ensure a speedy implementation of lead service line replacement efforts.
- Promote health-based blood lead testing, including testing in high-risk areas, such as in schools and childcare facilities and in areas with lead service lines.
- Ensure robust community engagement by promoting early and continued communication and project planning between the water utility and the public throughout the lead service line identification, planning, and replacement process, while working quickly and efficiently to mitigate lead exposure.
- Promote utilization of innovative data, science, modeling, and mapping to guide lead mitigation and develop publicly accessible inventories.
- Catalyze lead pipe replacement by spreading best practices to employ individual plumbers, municipal labor, large firms, and apprentice programs in pipe replacement contracting and prioritizing local and unionized workforce development and procurement wherever possible.
RECENT LEAD-RELATED RECALLS • The Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported at least one (1) recent toy recall due to the presence of lead:
Hatley USA Recalls Children’s Headbands Due to Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban. The children’s headbands contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.
This recall involves Opalescent Angel Wings Headbands. The Opalescent Angel Wings Headbands were sold in one size. They are pink with two silver angel’s wings. More information about this recall including specific items being recalled is available on the CPSC’s website
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