IBF is part of the Sussex Health and Environmental Network (SHEN) formed by a coalition of Sussex County organizations all working “to ensure a clean, healthy environment for future generations.” A principle goal of SHEN is to promote public health through environmental justice.
Delaware continues to have the second highest incidence of new cancer in the country. In Sussex County there are census tracts with statistically significantly elevated all-site cancer incidence rates or “cancer clusters” including in the Millsboro and Dagsboro areas.
IBF supports a comprehensive Sussex County Health Study
as advocated by IBF member Dr. Mohammad Akhter, former director of the American
Health Association and former head of public health departments in Missouri and
Washington, DC. Dr. Akhter, the IBF
Board, along with others in the SHEN network have met with the Governor and his
administration to request a baseline study by the Center for Disease Control
(CDC),but no study is yet underway.