FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Public Health Officials to Conduct Door-to-Door Survey in East Palo Alto 

East Palo Alto, CA – Oct. 11, 2022 – Local public health officials will be in East Palo Alto next week to learn what climate-related challenges residents are facing in their community and to help identify gaps in preparedness.

In English, Spanish or both, survey teams will ask a series of questions focusing on threats posed by mosquitoes, extreme heat, sea level rise, fires and air quality, for instance. Teams will also ask about emergency preparedness.

The results will be used by local public officials to develop preparedness plans for the community, allocate resources and better understand what issues are most important to East Palo Alto residents.

The survey will take place October 17, 18 and 19 at randomly selected addresses. (Prior to those dates, teams will place door hangers in selected neighborhoods advising residents of the upcoming survey.)

Staff from County Health and the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, an independent public health agency, will conduct the survey along with local volunteers.

“These types of surveys are critical to understanding needs in our community and to provide actionable change. We are looking forward to working with East Palo Alto residents to better understand the community’s climate change and emergency preparedness needs,” said Karen Pfister, manager of the epidemiology program for San Mateo County Health.

Survey teams will wear identifying badges. Residents will not be asked personal information such as name, date of birth or immigration status or to provide identification.

The survey effort will be supported by staff from San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management and the California Department of Public Health.

The survey is what’s known as a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, a tool developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These surveys are used by epidemiologists and local governments to plan for emergency response and to gauge community resources, needs and perceptions.

“Results from this survey will allow us to improve the ways in which we provide vector control services to the community of East Palo Alto,” said Brian Weber, district manager for the Mosquito and Vector Control District. “Our district is continually seeking ways to more efficiently detect and address vector-related issues and needs in the county.”

For additional information about the survey visit www.smcmvcd.org/CASPER.

Contact: 

Rachel Curtis-Robles, PhD

Public Health Education and Outreach Officer

rcurtis@smcmvcd.org

1351 Rollins Rd

Burlingame, CA 94010

(650) 344-8592

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