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2019 In Review

2019 has been an important year for the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study (Study). With the settlement processed earlier in the year, Public Health commenced planning for the Study. Throughout 2019, Public Health staff attended and presented at many local Neighborhood Council meetings, sharing information and collecting feedback.

To help introduce the Study to the community, we hosted two Orientation Sessions in March at California State University, Northridge. These sessions helped community members learn about the settlement, the Study and the creation of the Community Advisory Group (CAG) and the Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC) while also providing space for the community to voice concerns in a productive manner.

In addition to these outreach activities, Public Health established a Community Advisory Group (CAG). Members were either nominated by Neighborhood Councils or selected for their reach into communities across the northwest San Fernando Valley. We have held five meetings and multiple conference calls with the CAG since it was formed in July. Together with the CAG, we developed a nomination and selection process for experts to serve on the SOC.

For people who have been unable to participate in our outreach activities, we continue to provide a Feedback Form and are available by phone at (213) 738-3232.

All the feedback we have received over 2019 at these events and CAG meetings is viewable in our Feedback Log . The advice, comments, concerns, ideas and feedback provided has been critical to the establishment and recruitment of the SOC and the setup of the Study.
Thank You to the Community

Throughout this process, the community has been critical in helping us prepare for the upcoming Health Research Study, providing feedback and comments through the CAG. As we kick off 2020, the Department of Public Health’s Dr. Muntu Davis reflects on the year behind us:
Community Members:

As we kick off 2020, I want to thank the northwest San Fernando Valley community for its feedback and participation as we have worked to develop the foundation and support for implementing the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study to identify and assess the extent of health effects on the surrounding community after the Southern California Gas storage facility blowout.

As community members, especially the members of our Community Advisory Group (CAG), you have been invaluable throughout this process.

Health Study 101

What is a health study? This is an important question that many in the community have. And as we prepare for the launch of the health study this year, we want to provide as much information as we can about what a health study is, and what they typically do, and do not do. To learn more, please see our new fact sheet.

Establishing a Scientific Oversight Committee

One of the key steps to launching the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study is establishing a Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC). Through the SOC, leading experts from throughout California and nationwide will lend their expertise to the development and oversight of the Study.

To establish the SOC, the Department of Public Health worked closely with the CAG to establish scoring criteria for evaluating candidates. Nominated through an online recruitment process, the independent members will provide expertise in a range of fields identified by the community.

The role of the SOC is to:
·      Provide guidance on the Study’s focus and priorities
·      Review research plans and evaluate progress
·      Provide science advice to Public Health and researchers

Dr. Paul Simon of the Department of Public Health, reflects further on what 2020 will hold as we prepare to kick off the Study:
Community Members:

As we begin 2020, the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study is finally getting ready to launch, and we are close to announcing the Scientific Oversight Committee, which will guide the Study's focus and priorities to be analyzed by independent researchers and informed by research ideas previously received from your community. We have spent the last year working to ensure the Study proceeds with scientific rigor and integrity.

In setting up the Study’s framework, we have drawn on best-practices and counsel from leading organizations, including the California Council on Science and Technology and the National Institutes of Health.

Links to Provide and View Community Feedback

Feedback Log: https://bit.ly/37H8cMX
Questions? Send an email to alisostudy@ph.lacounty.gov.