For many Iowans, the long list of everyday issues has a worrying addition — cancer.

Iowa is one of only a few states where cancer cases continue to rise; currently, it has the second highest rate of new cancers per capita in the country.

But Iowans now have an ally, working to provide accurate, science-based information that responds to concerns about contaminants in the environment and their effects on human health. The Iowa Integrated Network for Science, Information, and Geospatial Health Tracking (Iowa INSIGHT) launched on July 1, 2026, at the University of Iowa, and it’s off to a running start. 

A generous $5 million founding gift from Sharon and Kyle Krause supports Iowa INSIGHT, with a $1 million supporting gift from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust. 

Partnering with public health 

David Cwiertny leads the program with co-founder Larry Weber, director of IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering (IIHR). Cwiertny also leads the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination (CHEEC). 

The collaboration brings together two renowned research organizations to collaborate on environmental monitoring; biomonitoring; epidemiology and data science; and knowledge sharing. The researchers aim to close data gaps and generate reliable information to guide effective solutions for emerging environmental health threats, strengthening the health and resiliency of Iowans and the environment.

Collaboration with county public health officials is another powerful means to achieve Iowa INSIGHT’s mission, Cwiertny says. “We’ve had lots of success working with county public health departments,” he says. “They’ll be valuable partners in what we need to do here.”

A crisis in our wells

One of the urgent issues Iowa INSIGHT is focusing on is arsenic in private wells. Arsenic occurs naturally in Iowa due to the geology of our landscape. The EPA sets a limit of 10 parts per billion (PPB) for arsenic in public drinking water supplies. Private wells, however, aren’t regulated.

Private wells in north central Iowa, especially Cerro Gordo County, are most vulnerable to arsenic. Well owners can have their water tested for free by contacting county public health officials. And reverse osmosis filter can remove arsenic where it is found.

“Arsenic is important because it associates with many of the cancers Iowa is vulnerable to,” Cwiertny says. Research has linked arsenic to skin melanoma, which is more prevalent in Iowa than in other states. Some studies have also associated arsenic with lung cancer and cardiovascular issues.

Cwiertny plans to dig into the existing data on arsenic in Iowa to help prioritize expanded testing in vulnerable counties. Iowa INSIGHT is not just about generating new data but also making the most of information we already have, Cwiertny says. Data can help us understand environmental health issues as well as identify priorities for additional monitoring or testing.

Forever chemicals

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are manmade chemicals used in thousands of products such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpets, and firefighting foam. Often called “forever chemicals,” PFAS are persistent and have serious environmental and public health implications, including cancer, liver disease, and fertility issues.

With partners at the Iowa Geological Survey and the UI School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, the team is studying how PFAS in surface water can contaminate nearby groundwater and create a health threat for private well users.

Cwiertny is working to raise awareness about PFAS and identify vulnerable communities. County partners will be key to facilitating testing and getting the word out, Cwiertny says.

Sharing insights

“Our first responsibility is getting the information out to the public,” Cwiertny says. Online data dashboards, fact sheets written in easy-to-understand language, and media stories will all support the outreach effort.

In addition, Iowa INSIGHT will hold public meetings in all 99 counties to share research findings and answer questions.

Perhaps the most powerful thing about Iowa INSIGHT, Cwiertny says, is that it makes Iowans feel that their fears, concerns, and experiences are not being ignored.

“We’ve got to do this, because it’s not getting done,” he says. “We’ve got to figure out what’s going on.”

For more information and to stay connected with Iowa INSIGHT, visit iihr.uiowa.edu/iowa-insight.