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Monthly Newsletter

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Dear Community Member, 


The Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study (ACDHRS) project team would like to wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day and congratulate the soon-to-be graduates on their well-deserved success. Please continue reading this month’s newsletter for updates on the progress of the ACDHRS. 

Project Updates


Health Study Roles & Responsibilities 

Following the 2015-16 Aliso Canyon gas blowout disaster, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) advocated for a health study to be completed and funded using money from the settlement agreement with the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). As a result, $25 million was dedicated to a Health Study in early 2019. Public Health will administer the solicitation and procurement of research proposals, with guidance from the SOC as mandated by the settlement of The People v. Southern California Gas Company.To learn more about each of their roles and responsibilities please visit the Health Research and Introduction page of the Health Study. 


The settlement agreement between California Attorney General, Los Angeles City Attorney, and County of Los Angeles, et al. and SoCalGas, mandated that Public Health establish a SOC to oversee the Health Study. In collaboration with the Community Advisory Group (CAG), Public Health selected an esteemed roster of national leading experts who serve on a volunteer basis. Comprised of independent experts and public agency representatives, the SOC plays a critical role in the development and advancement of the Health Study. The SOC is responsible for deciding the Health Study’s goals and focus. Once the contract is awarded to third party independent researchers to conduct the Health Study, the SOC will be responsible for reviewing research plans, evaluating research progress, and providing expert guidance to the selected research team(s). SOC members have wide-ranging expertise in Epidemiology, Disaster Behavioral Health, Toxicology, Community-Based Research, Exposure Assessment, Environmental Science, Air Monitoring, and Air Modeling. 

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Draft Health Study Goals & Priorities 

The SOC utilized a wealth of community input collected over the past two years to shape and inform the Health Study development process and to draft goals and priority areas of focus for the Health Study. The draft goals and priorities were made available for a 30-day public comment period, which was extended by 14 days in response to requests from the community. Hundreds of responses have been received from community members, all of which will be shared with the SOC to review as they finalize the Health Study Goals and Priorities. 


Health Study Timeline and Next Steps

The SOC guided the decision to use a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to solicit independent third-party researchers who will conduct the Health Study. The final Goals and Priorities will be incorporated into the RFP. Public Health anticipates releasing the RFP publicly this summer. Main components of the RFP include the Statement of Work (SOW), minimum mandatory requirements, and evaluation criteria which the SOC are in the process of developing. Through the RFP process, independent, third-party researchers will propose research methodologies that are scientifically robust and responsive to the finalized goals and priorities of the Health Study. At the end of the Health Research Study’s third year, the Scientific Oversight Committee will independently analyze and determine whether the Health Study is likely to achieve the predetermined goals.


The Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study (ACDHRS) project team appreciates your continued interest as we advance project efforts.

“Getting to learn from and interact with other SOC members has been a highlight. We have a difficult task: overseeing a study of the worst natural gas leak in U.S. history. My hope is that at its conclusion we will have answers for the local community and scientists more broadly about if and how human health was affected.”


Scientific Oversight Committee member

Joan A. Casey, PhD

SOC Member Bios.


Stay Involved

FAQ Page 

Please visit the Aliso Canyon FAQ page linked here. The FAQ page provides responses to questions that have been raised by Neighborhood Councils, residents and Community Advisory Group members. 


Email Us 

Information on upcoming opportunities to get involved can be found on the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study website. If you have any questions, or would like to get in touch, please email us at alisostudy@ph.lacounty.gov

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Community Feedback Log

If you have any additional feedback, concerns, or ideas that you would like to share, please consider submitting them to our ongoing Community Feedback Log. 


Community Advisory Group 

Please visit Public Health’s CAG page to view upcoming meetings, access meeting agendas, summaries, and other materials. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide input during the public comment periods.

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