Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., will soon look into the health implications of natural gas production in the state's Marcellus shale thanks to a $1 million grant from the Degenstein Foundation.
Several energy companies have drilled natural gas wells in the Marcellus shale and extract the natural gas through a process called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Some research has suggested fracking could cause health problems such as asthma, trauma and cardiovascular disease.
Geisinger's study will look at the health histories of thousands of patients who live near the Marcellus shale through its own electronic health record system and EHR data of Guthrie Health in Sayre, Pa., and Susquehanna Health in Williamsport, Pa.
"The Degenstein Foundation's support of this research project comes at a critical time for the residents of Pennsylvania who live in the Marcellus shale region," Glenn Steele Jr., MD, PhD, president and CEO of Geisinger, said in a news release. "The establishment of reliable and valid data regarding the potential health impacts of Marcellus shale gas drilling is essential for informed policy decisions."
Several energy companies have drilled natural gas wells in the Marcellus shale and extract the natural gas through a process called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Some research has suggested fracking could cause health problems such as asthma, trauma and cardiovascular disease.
Geisinger's study will look at the health histories of thousands of patients who live near the Marcellus shale through its own electronic health record system and EHR data of Guthrie Health in Sayre, Pa., and Susquehanna Health in Williamsport, Pa.
"The Degenstein Foundation's support of this research project comes at a critical time for the residents of Pennsylvania who live in the Marcellus shale region," Glenn Steele Jr., MD, PhD, president and CEO of Geisinger, said in a news release. "The establishment of reliable and valid data regarding the potential health impacts of Marcellus shale gas drilling is essential for informed policy decisions."
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