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                <name>about/FAQS</name>
                <summary>FAQS Page</summary>
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        <TITLE>New Mexico's EPHT FAQs</TITLE>
        <KEYWORDS>New Mexico EHPT News nmtracking</KEYWORDS>
        <DESCRIPTION>New Mexico's EPHT Website's FAQS Page</DESCRIPTION>

        <CONTENT>
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                <ul>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="a">What is Environmental Public Health Tracking?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="b">What is an indicator?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="c">What types of data and information are available on this web site?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="d">How are indicator data organized?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="e">Can I do a search to find out if you have the information I'm looking for?</a> </li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="f">Can I go directly to the data?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="j">What are custom cancer queries?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="k">Why are some data only presented on a county versus municipal level?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="l">What if I can't find the data I need?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="m">How do I request access to more data than are available through this web site?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="n">Is there a glossary of terms available?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="o">Are other states participating in the EPHT Network?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="p">How do I access data available in other states?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="q">How do I access data available on the National network?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="r">How do data on New Mexico's web site differ from CDC's National site?</a></li>
                        <li><a ibis:hash="s">What is a local health department?</a></li>
                </ul><br/>

                <a name="a"/><h2>What is Environmental Public Health Tracking?</h2>
                Environmental public health tracking (sometimes known as EPHT or Tracking) is the ongoing 
                collection, integration, analysis, and interpretation of data about environmental hazards, 
                exposure to environmental hazards, and adverse health outcomes potentially related to exposure 
                to environmental hazards. The goal of environmental public health tracking is to protect the 
                health of communities by providing information to citizens, and federal, state, and local 
                agencies for use in planning and evaluating public health and environmental actions.
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                <br/><br/> 
                <a name="b"/><h2>What is an indicator?</h2>
                An indicator is a fact or trend that indicates the level or condition of something. Well 
                known indicators include gross national product, unemployment rates, and presidential 
                approval ratings. In a public health context, indicators show trends like cancer rates, drinking water
                contamination levels, and blood lead levels in children. When an indicator has several parts that combine to 
                indicate the status of the concept being measured, the individual items are called "measures."
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                <br/><br/> 
                <a name="c"/><h2>What types of data and information are available on this web site?</h2>
                The New Mexico EPHT Network has data available in two different formats: Indicator Reports and  query datasets.
                Indicator Reports are designed to answer the question "How are we doing?" for a selected health outcome
                or environmental exposure. Indicator Reports include both data and information in a report format to help
                users understand the topic. Query datasets are available for users who want to work directly with a particular
                dataset. Users define their custom query settings from a list of options and the website produces the data
                according to the definitions the user selected.
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                <br/><br/> 
                <a name="d"/><h2>How are indicator data organized?</h2>
                Indicator data on the EPHT portal are organized into four categories: health outcomes, environmental quality, 
                climate change, and vital statistics. To access these topics, click on the "EPHT Topics" tab at the top of the page. 
                After choosing a category, choose a topic and click the "+" symbol to reveal more information. 
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                <br/><br/> 
                <a name="e"/><h2>Can I do a search to find out if you have the information I'm looking for? </h2>
                To find out if the information you are looking for is in the EPHT Network, metadata records have been
                created to describe what is available in each dataset. Metadata includes information about content, 
                years of coverage, resolution, limitation of use, and contact information. To access the metadata search
                page, click on the <a href="dataportal/SecureDatasetIndex.html">EPHT Secure Dataset Metadata Index</a> 
                page under the "Data Portal" tab. Type your search criteria into the search box and a list of metadata 
                records containing the term will be displayed. Click on any of the records to read more about the dataset. 
                <a ibis:hash="top" class="ReturnToTop">Return to top of page</a>
                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="f"/><h2>Can I go directly to the data?</h2>
                You can access Indicator Reports by going to the <a href="dataportal/IndicatorProfileIndex.html">
                Indicator Report Index</a> under the "Data Portal" tab. Queryable dataset are located on the 
                <a href="dataportal/PublicDatasetIndex.html">Public Query Dataset Index</a> under the "Data Portal" tab.
                Both Indicator Reports and Dataset Queries can be accessed through any category in the "EPHT Topics" tab.
                <a ibis:hash="top" class="ReturnToTop">Return to top of page</a>
                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="j"/><h2>What are custom queries?</h2>
                Custom queries allow users to work directly with datasets. A query provides search parameters that the user must fill in according
                to what data s/he wants. After the search parameters are entered, click Submit and the system will provide the requested data. 
                A list of the available public datasets is located on the <a href="dataportal/PublicDatasetIndex.html">Public Query Dataset 
                Index</a> under the "Data Portal" tab. 
                <a ibis:hash="top" class="ReturnToTop">Return to top of page</a>
                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="k"/><h2>Why are some data only presented on a county versus municipal level?</h2>
                Sometimes, when the number of cases of a health condition is small and the total number of people from 
                which the case(s) come is small, those particular data cannot be made public since it could 
                be possible to trace the data back to individuals. Since the risk for a breach of 
                confidentiality is higher when reporting small numbers, some health data are "suppressed" 
                or "restricted." Please visit the <a href="dataportal/SecureDatasetIntroduction.html">EPHT Secure Partner Datasets</a> page for more            information.
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                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="l"/><h2>What if I can't find the data I need?</h2>
                If you have an interest in particular data, please see the <a href="about/ContactInformation.html">Contact Us</a> 
                page. We continue to add information, and keep records of requests which will help determine data and 
                indicator priorities for the future.
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                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="m"/><h2>How do I request access to more data than are available through this web site?</h2>
                Requests for secure (non-public) data sets can be made to the New Mexico EPHT Network at the New Mexico 
                Department of Health. These requests will be forwarded to the appropriate data steward who 
                is responsible for the original data and its distribution. The data steward has the ultimate 
                authority over the data and will make a determination if the person or organization requesting 
                additional data meets statutory or departmental criteria for obtaining non-public data.
                <br/><br/>
                Please visit the <a href="dataportal/SecureDatasetIntroduction.html">EPHT Secure Partner Datasets</a> 
                page for more information and instructions on how to apply for access.
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                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="n"/><h2>Is there a glossary of terms available?</h2>
                Yes, a glossary of terms used in describing data, indicators, calculations, government agencies, 
                chemicals, environmental factors, and more is available. To access the glossary, click
                <a href="http://health.utah.gov/opha/IBIShelp/Glossary%20UEPHT.pdf">here</a>.
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                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="o"/><h2>Are other states participating in the EPHT Network?</h2>
                In addition to New Mexico, more than 20 states participate in the CDC-funded Tracking 
                network. For a map of project grantees, see the 
                <a href="http://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showStateTracking.action">State Tracking Network</a> page.
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                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="p"/><h2>How do I access data available in other states?</h2>
                You can access EPHT-related data from other states from their individual websites 
                (<a href="http://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showStateTracking.action">State Tracking Networks</a>) 
                or the National Portal as well(<a href="http://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showHome.action">National EPHT Tracking Network</a>).
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                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="q"/><h2>How do I access data available on the National network?</h2>
                National tracking data can be accessed on the CDC's 
                <a href="http://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showHome.action">National EPHT Tracking Network</a> website. Click on "Explore
                Tracking Data" to submit a custom query or choose a topic: environments, health effects, population health, or 
                info by location.
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                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="r"/><h2>How do data on New Mexico's web site differ from CDC's National site?</h2>
                Both the New Mexico Tracking portal and the National portal allow you to access and visualize 
                data sets. 
                The National portal presents datasets that have been processed according to 
                standardized guidelines which allow for national comparisons (such as state-to-state comparisons). 
                On the other hand, the New Mexico portal contains datasets that were contributed 
                to the National portal. However, the New Mexico portal provides additional datasets and information that is specific to 
                New Mexico's environmental and public health needs.
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                <br/><br/> 

                <a name="s"/><h2>What is the New Mexico Department of Health? </h2>
                New Mexico has a centralized health department system, operated under the State of New Mexico. 
                The Department of Health has several divisions inclusive of the 
                <a href="https://nmhealth.org/about/erd/">Epidemiology and Response Division,</a> under which the 
                NM EPHT program operates, the Public Health Division, which manages public health offices throughout 
                the state, the Scientific Laboratory, and the Administrative Services Division. 
                Learn more about the State Department of Health at 
                <a href="https://nmhealth.org/">https://nmhealth.org/</a>.
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