About the Study
The Globeville, Elyira, and Swansea (GES) Community Health Study is a comprehensive study assessing the impact of the environment on the health and wellbeing of GES residents. This study was created as a result of the Sierra Club et al. v. Chao et al. settlement agreement concerning the Central I-70 project through the GES community.
What is Included?
Priority research areas were based on community concerns, previous reports, and research team expertise.
Environmental quality
Air, including highways, industrial activities, and trains
Soil, including superfund sites and contamination from historical smelting activities
Water, including the S. Platte and groundwater
Built Environment, including tree coverage; sidewalks, bike lanes, mobility and connectivity; access to sources of healthy food; and access to other good and services
Odors
Noise
Health outcomes
Health effects we are studying include:
Lead poisoning
Asthma and other respiratory illnesses
Heart disease
Cancer
Birth outcomes, including low birth weight and birth defects
Obesity
Mental health
What data are we using?
Community members involved in designing the study expressed how they feel over-studied due to the numerous other studies conducted in the neighborhood. Recognizing this impact, this study is using previously collected data. We will not be collecting any new environmental or health data.
What Does the Study Hope to Accomplish?
This study aims to create products that are meaningful, relevant, address community needs, and create a complete story of environmental exposures, health outcomes, and lived experience of GES residents. To accomplish this, community input is included in planning study outcomes and in creating study products. Planned activities include:
Mapping of environmental exposures and health outcomes
Analysis of the health risks from the environmental exposures in GES listed above
Educational materials for the community to use
Study Timeline
The Health Study is expected to take 3 years and is split into two phases.
Planning
March 2022 - February 2023
Planning future phases
Preliminary data review
Community mapping
Website development
Analysis
March 2023 - February 2025
Synthesize data
Assess health risks
Create maps
Have feedback or comments on the study? Let us know what you think by filling out this brief form.