Description: The Overburdened Communities Census Tracts feature layer has been configured configured for the Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program (WAEVCP) Grant application. This layer uses 2010 Census Tracts based on the current version (2.0) of the Washington Tracking Network's Environmental Health Disparities data including the Overall Environmental Health Disparities Index, Unaffordable Housing Indicator (IBL) and Median Household Income (MHI).The source data is derived from the Environmental Health Disparities map displayed on WTN's Information by Location (IBL) tool. The data on the map include 19 indicators and are divided into four themes:More information is available here https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/wtnibl/WTNIBL/.Environmental Exposures (PM2.5-diesel emissions; ozone concentration; PM2.5 Concentration; proximity to heavy traffic roadways; toxic release from facilities (RSEI model))Environmental Effects (lead risk from housing; proximity to hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs); proximity to National Priorities List sites (Superfund Sites); proximity to Risk Management Plan (RMP) facilities; wastewater discharge)Sensitive Populations (death from cardiovascular disease; low birth weight)Socioeconomic Factors (limited English; no high school diploma; poverty; race - people of color; transportation expense; unaffordable housing; unemployed)Learn about how the Environmental Health Disparities map is being used to support Washington's clean energy transformation.Washington State Department of Health provides an index of Environmental Health Disparities for all the census tracts in Washington. Both deciles (ranks 1 - 10) and quintiles (ranks 1 - 5) have been calculated for cardiovascular disease, low birth weight, people without a high school diploma, people who speak English less than "very well" or "not at all", people living at or below 185% of federal poverty level, people of color, transportation costs, unemployment, housing costs, people exposed to air pollution near busy road ways, exposure to diesel emissions, exposure to average ozone, exposure to particulate matter, exposure to toxic releases, proximity to hazardous waste generators, exposure to lead, proximity to Superfund sites, proximity to facilities with highly toxic substances, proximity to wastewater discharge, general environmental exposure, general environmental effects, general sensitive populations, general socioeconomic factors, and overall environmental health disparities. Please see the Washington environmental health disparities page for more information: https://www.doh.wa.gov/DataandStatisticalReports/WashingtonTrackingNetworkWTN/InformationbyLocation/WashingtonEnvironmentalHealthDisparitiesMap The map was a collaborative project that took several years to develop. It went live to the public in January of 2019. Those involved in the initial collaboration include: University of Washington's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Front and Centered, Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Department of Ecology, and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The effort included listening sessions with communities in Washington State. The communities gave input that informed development of the map. Since the map was published, several laws and rules highlight it as a resource. Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, passed in 2021, led to the first dedicated, ongoing state funding to maintain and update the map. The HEAL Act (RCW 43.70.815) requires DOH to: Further develop the EHD map, engaging with communities, tribes, researcher, and EJ CouncilTrack changes in disparities over time Perform a comprehensive evaluation every three yearsExpand online video trainings and guidance on how to use the EHD mapProvide support and consultation to state agencies on how to use the EHD map\DOH continues to add data to the EHD map to reflect additional health risks. DOH is currently working with partners to develop indicators for: wildfire smoke, asthma, tree canopy and greenspace, water quality, pesticide exposure, redlining index, and a group of climate change indicators.The EHD map is a living tool. Developing and improving it is an ongoing process, incorporating feedback and new data. The map will never fully reflect communities’ experiences and should not be used to replace community engagement or tribal consultation. If you have feedback about how we could improve the map, please contact us at EHDmap@doh.wa.gov.
Copyright Text: WA Department of Commerce, WA EV Council, Census, WA DOH