The Washington state Department of Health (DOH) has launched a new winter seasonal hazards dashboard to help residents stay informed about public health and safety trends and better prepare for seasonal hazards.
The dashboard provides timely data about severe winter weather, including motor vehicle crashes; falls; cold-related illnesses, such as from hypothermia, frostbite, etc.; carbon monoxide exposures; and asthma-related emergency department visits. It aims to help communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers by providing timely information to reduce risks and protect lives, according to a news release.
“This dashboard helps Washingtonians understand and prepare for the health dangers winter can pose,” said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, DOH chief science officer, in the release. “With clear maps and graphs and accessible information, our goal is to keep our communities safe and informed about severe weather events.”
According to the news release, the dashboard includes:
• Data on motor vehicle crash-related emergency department visits, overlaid with temperature trends.
• An interactive map showing motor vehicle crash-related emergency department visits by county, helping users identify areas most affected by winter weather.
• Additional tabs covering emergency department visits for cold-related illnesses, falls, asthma, and carbon monoxide exposures to provide a holistic view of seasonal health risks.
To view the dashboard, go to shorturl.at/zee5B. For more information on how to prepare for seasonal emergencies, visit shorturl.at/3R7yx.