Is UCLA scientifically independent from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH)? How will UCLA maintain scientific independence? What is the role of DPH and the Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC)? Who is on the SOC?

We are committed to maintaining its scientific independence throughout the Study. While funding for the Study was secured through a consent decree, we were awarded the contract to conduct the Study independently. DPH has an administrative oversight role, tracking progress on the contracted scope of work, but it does not dictate our scientific decisions. An independent Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC) comprising 15 experts oversees the study, providing valuable input, but the ultimate responsibility for scientific rigor lies with UCLA. We maintain open communication with DPH and a structured process for addressing disagreements with the SOC's recommendations. We are required to submit a final report to DPH. In addition, we will independently publish scientifically rigorous articles in peer-reviewed journals to ensure transparency.

How will UCLA engage the community? How will UCLA incorporate community feedback?

We believe that effective community engagement is crucial to the success of the Study and appreciate suggestions for improving our efforts. We have developed a Community Stakeholder Communications Plan (CSCP) that provides a comprehensive guide to community engagement efforts during implementation of the Study. The CSCP is posted on the website . We have held and plan to hold additional general community meetings to provide overall Study information and updates as well as focused meetings to address more specific topics. These focused meetings will allow for deeper discussion of those topics that are of greatest interest. The CSCP also calls for the development of a Community Engagement Support and Advice Network (CESAN). This network aims to tap into the expertise of individuals who understand the community's unique dynamics and preferences. It will include a diverse range of organizations and community groups to ensure that the advisory network encompasses a broad cross-section of community demographics and interests. We are committed to working closely with the CESAN to effectively engage and motivate residents to participate.

Will UCLA make recommendations to regulators?

Our objective is to provide a comprehensive assessment of exposure and health impacts of the blowout and the most robust and scientifically sound information possible to inform public health decisions. Our findings can be used by regulatory agencies, policymakers, health care providers, and community organizations to inform local responses and/or actions that support the recovery and the health of the impacted communities. While we aim to supply valuable insights that can assist regulators and communities in establishing standards or limits related to natural gas health hazards, it is not within our purview to identify standards or regulations. Similarly, while the UCLA Team excels in studying emissions and their potential health impacts, we may not possess the expertise needed to manage natural gas storage fields and thus to make regulatory recommendations. Therefore, while we can offer general guidance, we acknowledge that the specifics of implementation may require the involvement of regulatory authorities with the necessary expertise to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

When will the study end? When will findings be available?

The Study is planned for five years and will come to completion at the end of October 2027, pending approval for continuation of the study by the Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC) by the end of the third year. We will share findings of the completed studies as soon as they become available, followed by publication in scientific journals. We will share findings prior to the end of the third year and through the end of the Study.

Will UCLA examine community members who have left the area or passed away since the blowout?

We will identify individuals who lived in the area during the blowout but have since left using multiple data sources and methods including mobility tracking and health utilization data. We are actively seeking legal settlement information and welcome the community's input to comprehensively account for these changes. Individuals who have moved away or died since the blowout will be included in the analysis of the California Health Interview Survey and health care utilization data. Individuals who moved away since the blowout may also be eligible to participate in the focus groups.

Will the Study examine and help community members who have most suffered from the exposure?

The Study is primarily a population-based study, designed to determine if people living in the community closest to the natural gas facility experienced a higher level of health impact that can be attributed to the blowout or ongoing operations of the facility than those living far away. This approach will also help to answer questions about whether people in the community are at higher risk of developing certain medical conditions or diseases in the future, so that residents can take measures to screen for exposure and take preventative measures. In addition, as part of the Study, we are developing a comprehensive list of the types of medical tests that communities that face these exposures can request from their own physicians. We have further provided the opportunity to hear directly from community members about their experiences in community meetings.

What are the criteria for selection of comparison communities? Where are the likely comparison communities?

We created a set of standards to identify a comparison community similar to the impact zone. We considered income levels and racial and ethnic composition of the population as well as environmental conditions such as distance from possible sources of pollution like landfills and oil wells. We selected comparison communities that are in or near Los Angeles County and demographically similar to the impact zone. We did not use comparison communities in areas further away because that would introduce environmental, social, and contextual variations that are not quantifiable and would restrict our ability to draw meaningful conclusions.

Can community members volunteer to participate in the survey and clinical assessment?

While there's a desire to include everyone, representativeness of the sample must be prioritized, which could mean not everyone who wants to participate can be included.

FAQs Archive - UCLA Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study

Is UCLA scientifically independent from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH)? How will UCLA maintain scientific independence? What is the role of DPH and the Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC)? Who is on the SOC?
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How will UCLA engage the community? How will UCLA incorporate community feedback?
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Will UCLA make recommendations to regulators?
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When will the study end? When will findings be available?
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Will UCLA examine community members who have left the area or passed away since the blowout?
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Will the Study examine and help community members who have most suffered from the exposure?
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What are the criteria for selection of comparison communities? Where are the likely comparison communities?
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Can community members volunteer to participate in the survey and clinical assessment?
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FAQs

Is UCLA scientifically independent from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH)? How will UCLA maintain scientific independence? What is the role of DPH and the Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC)? Who is on the SOC?

How will UCLA engage the community? How will UCLA incorporate community feedback?

Will UCLA make recommendations to regulators?

When will the study end? When will findings be available?

Will UCLA examine community members who have left the area or passed away since the blowout?

Will the Study examine and help community members who have most suffered from the exposure?

What are the criteria for selection of comparison communities? Where are the likely comparison communities?

Can community members volunteer to participate in the survey and clinical assessment?

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