Section 3 Interpret Results

Section 3: How to Interpret the Results of the EH Needs Assessment

The responses to the EH needs assessment were put into Survey Monkey to analyze them more efficiently and cohesively. Each topic and issue was then used to create a picture of the current landscape of environmental health in each of the Tribal communities that participated. The questions were also summarized together to get a general overview of the EH Tribal programs that are present currently.

The results were made into a comprehensive analysis report for internal uses. The analysis was used to create multiple infographic educational resources added to our online resource database to be shared with our social media accounts.

The results of each individual needs assessment were shared with the corresponding Tribal participant along with a detailed analysis of strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and opportunities found in the assessment.

In addition, each tribal participant was sent an in-depth document with resource, pricing, and links to any additional trainings that were identified in their needs assessment to better build the capacity of the tribe to respond, recover, and mitigate from natural disaster and/or emergencies.

Findings from the SPTHB EH Needs Assessment:

For a full list of findings, contact SPTHB at info@spthb.org

TOP 5 Environmental Health Issues Identified:

1. Diabetes (93.33%)

2. Asthma (80%)

3. Cancer (66.67%)

4. Infectious disease (60%)

5. Respiratory illness (53.33%)

How Knowledgeable are Community Members Regarding EH Issues?

13 participants (80%) identified that their community members were “somewhat knowledgeable” about the environmental health and hazard issues listed above in their communities.

EH Survey Results Summarized

+ 80% of Tribes who participated in the EH needs assessment listed that they have a current Emergency Operating Plan (EOP)

+ 73% of Tribes surveyed listed that they have used their EOP in the last 5 years

+ 50% of Tribes listed that there is not a tool/procedure to assess which areas are impacted by EH factors after a natural disaster or emergency

+ Does the EOP have procedures to test, monitor, mitigate EH issues that arise from natural disasters/ emergencies? 47% Yes; 53% No; 20% Not Sure

+ 50% of Tribes surveyed stated that they currently have an EH Department

+ 100% of Tribes listed that they have the need for additional training on emergency management or environmental health issues. (For a full list of trainings identified by Tribal participants in Section 5 of this document)

+ 50% of Tribes have an Environmental Health Department

+ 40% of Tribes reported that they do not have systems in place to track or monitor EH issues.

+ 36% of tribal participants are “UNSURE” of documentation of lead, asbestos, and hazardous chemicals in their communities