The New Mexico Cancer Plan 2020-2024 addresses radon in Goal 3: Decrease Environmental Factors that Lead to Cancer. In New Mexico, cancers of the lung and bronchus are highest among non-Hispanic whites and Blacks (46.5 per 100,000 and 46.4 per 100,000, respectively). American Indians in New Mexico have the lowest rate in the state (13.2 per 100,000) and one of the lowest rates in the country. Emphasis on lung cancer is high in New Mexico and with radon being the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer, radon has been included in Goal 3.
The goal has objectives, measures and strategies related to radon.
Objective 3.1 is to “Support Education and Enhanced Community Infrastructure to Decrease Exposure to Radon.”
Measures include base line and 2024 targets for view of the radon information pages on the website of the New Mexico Department of Health. There were 162 views in 2018; the target for 2024 is to maintain the 162 views per year.
Strategies for radon include:
• Support efforts to educate the New Mexico public, homeowners, building owners, sellers, realtors and policymakers about lung cancer risk from radon and the benefits of radon testing and implementing radon-resistant features in new construction
• Promote environmental equity through radon testing and mitigation programs and outreach efforts within underresourced communities
• Educate the public on secondhand smoke combined with radon as an increased cancer risk
The New Mexico Cancer Plan 2020 2024 is published by the New Mexico Department of Health, in partnership with the New Mexico Cancer Council, 2020, with funding provided through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control – Cooperative Agreement Number NU58DP006280
For additional information about this report, contact:
New Mexico Department Of Health Comprehensive Cancer Program
5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 800 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108
Telephone: 505.841.5860
www.cancernm.org
Source:
New Mexico Cancer Council
https://www.nmcancercouncil.org/pdf/NMCC_CancerPlan_10-28-2020.pdf
United States