Legislation to track chronic diseases

      Legislation to create a nationwide network to track chronic diseases and try to determine whether environmental factors play a role was recently introduced to the House and Senate.   The legislation was introduced by Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Harry Reid (D-NV) and Representatives Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Pete King (R-NY).

     Chronic diseases such as cancer, asthma and birth defects are on the increase in the United States.  This legislation would create a nationwide network to track chronic diseases and try to determine if environmental factors contribute to their increase.  It would also track environmental exposures such as mercury, lead and pesticides in a consistent manner. An estimated cost for the Health Tracking Network is $275 million a year.  The system would be similar to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, keeping tabs on infectious diseases.