Intersections (with lunch) | Iowa's cancer crisis

Iowa's cancer crisis

Kerri Johannsen
Senior Director of Policy and Programs, Iowa Environmental Council

_____________________

OCTOBER 2, 2026  |  11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids
** in-person event **

Iowa has the second highest cancer incidence rate in the nation and is one of only three states where the rate is rising. While the U.S. has a declining overall cancer rate, Iowa's is sharply increasing. More than 170,000 Iowans share the experience of living with a past or current cancer diagnosis, and many more have lost loved ones to cancer. The “Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa’s Cancer Crisis” project was developed by the Iowa Environmental Council and The Harkin Institute based on feedback from hundreds of Iowans who are asking: What makes Iowa an outlier for cancer? What is unique about our state?

Kerri Johannsen, an author of this report who serves as Senior Director of Policy and Programs with the Iowa Environmental Council, will present findings on pesticides, nitrate, PFAS, and radon, and their associations with cancer in Iowa. In addition, she will share actionable ways you can get involved in the movement for change.

You may make your reservation to attend in-person (with lunch) by clicking on the "Register Now" button. Four boxed lunch options are available: turkey & swiss on ciabatta, roast beef & cheddar on wheatberry, Greek Mediterranean wrap (vegetarian), and garden veggie salad; boxed lunches are $15 each. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, September 29. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.

If you have any issues registering, please email info@interfaithallianceiowa.org or call 515.279.8715.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER | Kerri Johannsen is the Senior Director of Policy and Programs with the Iowa Environmental Council, providing strategic oversight and advocacy strategy across the Council’s Energy, Climate Initiatives, and Water Programs. She has two decades of experience in energy and environmental policy and has previously served as the Council’s Energy Program Director as well as Manager of Government Affairs. Kerri previously served as professional staff with the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, administered the Iowa Power Fund for innovative clean energy projects, and worked as an analyst and Legislative Liaison with the Iowa Utilities Commission before joining the Council in 2016. Kerri was a visiting researcher with the Florence School of Regulation in Florence, Italy, in the summer of 2024. She has a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.

Intersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapids. It's an opportunity to learn, to participate in civil dialogue, and to discuss issues at the crossroads of religion and politics.