The Reducing Environmental and Occupational Cancer Risks Toolkit provides scientific evidence, information, resources, and risk reduction strategies to support chronic disease programs and cancer coalitions to address cancer risks associated with environmental and occupational agents. The toolkit was developed in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Production at UMass Lowell. It includes a strategic framework and resources that will help health departments raise awareness of environmental contaminants as important risk factors for cancer and pursue exposure reduction as a priority for cancer prevention.

The toolkit’s six modules provide evidence-based resources and examples for health departments to reduce risk and exposure to contaminants that increase cancer risk factors, and addresses topics from partnership development, data and surveillance, and environmental justice.

The 2023 U.S. National Cancer Plan estimates that more than half of all cancers in the U.S. could be prevented if we applied the knowledge we have now. In addition to behavioral risk factors and vaccines against certain viruses, the National Cancer Plan also calls out toxic and environmental exposures.

NACDD’s new risk reduction toolkit can support state and local planning to reduce cancer risk by curtailing exposure to chemical and radiological agents in our environment and workplaces. State comprehensive cancer control plans are addressing several known cancer risk factors such as physical inactivity, tobacco use, ultraviolet exposure, and are promoting vaccinations against the human papillomavirus and hepatitis B. However, despite CDC’s Healthy People 2030 Goal focused on promoting healthier environments to improve health, there is a missed opportunity to address cancer disparities by engaging with organizations focused on environmental injustices, including the disproportionate exposures to toxic chemicals impacting communities of color, low-income populations (including working populations), and indigenous peoples.

Find out how your health department can reduce exposure to environmental and occupational contaminants by visiting the toolkit today.