From patchwork to national network: working collaboratively to create a national environmental public health tracking network.

Partnership and collaboration are hallmarks for the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network (EPHT) Program. When CDC issued its first request for proposals for EPHT in August 2002, it required formal collaboration between state public health and environmental protection agencies. In addition, each of the grantees assembled a planning consortium or technical advisory committee to aid in the creation of the National EPHT together with local health agencies, community groups, industry, and healthcare professionals and other organizations.