Grant will underwrite study into potential health impacts of Marcellus shale gas drilling
Newswise — DANVILLE, Pa. – The Degenstein Foundation has awarded Geisinger Health System a $1 million grant to assist in underwriting its study into the potential health impacts of Marcellus shale gas drilling. The collaborative study is the first large-scale, scientifically rigorous assessment of the health effects of natural gas production.
“The foundation board is always in search of innovative funding opportunities that have the potential to better the lives of the residents of the central Susquehanna Valley,” said Michael Apfelbaum, co-trustee of the Degenstein Foundation. “Geisinger’s research into the health impacts of natural gas drilling fits perfectly with our mission and we are proud to support this important initiative.”
“The landscape surrounding our neighbors is in a state of immense change,” added Jeffrey Apfelbaum, co-trustee of the Degenstein Foundation. “This project will make a difference in our region as we seek to better understand the shifts occurring around us.”
The majority of the funds from the grant will be used to underwrite growth of the necessary data-gathering infrastructure. Funds will also be utilized to help develop strategic studies of the data gathered. Additional institutional partners are anticipated to help fund this effort.
“The Degenstein Foundation’s support of this research project comes at a critical time for the residents of Pennsylvania who live in the Marcellus shale region,” said Glenn D. Steele Jr., M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Geisinger Health System. “The establishment of reliable and valid data regarding the potential health impacts of Marcellus shale gas drilling is essential for informed policy decisions.”
Geisinger announced in 2012 plans to utilize its extensive electronic health record, along with the electronic health records of Guthrie Health, of Sayre, Pa., and Susquehanna Health, of Williamsport, Pa., to investigate the potential health effects of Marcellus shale gas drilling. The study will look at detailed health histories of hundreds of thousands of patients who live near the Marcellus shale, a rock formation in which energy companies have already drilled about 5,000 natural gas wells.
Guthrie Health and Susquehanna Health will collaborate with Geisinger in the planning and execution of the study, including the development of a health surveillance network intended to capture, assess and report on the patient-level data secured by Geisinger, Guthrie and Susquehanna via electronic health record, and make this data available for research purposes. The goal is to create a cross-disciplinary, integrated, and sharable repository of data on environmental exposures, health outcomes, and community impacts of Marcellus shale drilling – the first systematic longitudinal study to do so. Some of the potential health effects that are likely to be investigated first include asthma, trauma and cardiovascular disease. Preliminary results of data analysis may be released within the next year, while other aspects of the research will unfold over five, 10 or 20 years.
About the Degenstein FoundationThe Degenstein Foundation was created by generosity of Charles B. Degenstein to improve the quality of life and to provide financial support to organizations with clear statements of purpose, well defined programs, and competent leadership. Special consideration is given to unique, innovative, and creative projects that benefit children, promote education, improve health care, encourage business, culture, conservation of nature resources, and protection of the environment. Sidney Apfelbaum is co-trustee of the Degenstein Foundation along with his sons, Michael and Jeffrey, as well as BNY Mellon Bank. About Geisinger Health SystemGeisinger is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record, and the development and implementation of innovative care models including ProvenHealth Navigator, an advanced medical home model, and ProvenCare program. The system serves more than 2.6 million residents throughout 42 counties in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org. Follow the latest Geisinger news and more at www.twitter.com/geisingerhealth and www.facebook.com/geisingerhealth
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