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HomeMy WebLinkAbout121406 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES Thursday, December 14,2006 Board Alembers: David Sullivan, Chairman - CounrJi CommiSJioner District #2 Patrick AI. RodgetJ~ t--'"ice Chairman ~ County CommzJ".rioner D/J,trict #3 Phil JohnJOI1- County CommlJ'Jioner District # 1 Jill Buhler - Hospital Commissioner DIstrict #2 GeoffZ'vlasti - Port Townsend City Coundl Sheila lI7eJtemJan - Citizen at Large (City) Roberta Frimll-- Citizen at LatEe (County) StaffAlembm: Jean Baldwin, Public Health S miceJ' Director Julia Danskin, J\lursing Programs Director Thomas Lotke, AID, Health Officer Alike AlcNickle, Environmental Health ri" Natural Resources Director Meeting was called to order at 2:35 pm on December 14, 2006 by Vice Chair Rodgers in the conference room of Jefferson County Public Health. All Board members were present with the exception of Chair Sullivan. All staff members were present with the exception of Julia Danskin. A quorum was present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Board Member Masci moved to approve the agenda as amended to include an update on the 4410 Joint Select Committee on Public HeaIth Funding and a letter of appreciation under New Business. Member Frissell seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board Member Masci moved to approve the minutes of November 16, 2006, as written. Board Member Buhler seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS None OLD BUSINESS West Nile Virus Newsletter - 2006 Wrap-up Dr. Locke commented on the West Nile newsletter, noting the late season surge in West Nile Virus (WNV) activity. The virus penetrated deep into the state by October of this year. Oregon and Idaho's experience with WNV in recent years was to see a late season surge in bird and animal cases followed by an increase in human cases the next year. Washington's late season detection of WNV in the state could be a harbinger for increased human cases in 2007. Seasonal Influenza Update and Fall 2006 Public Health Newsletter Dr. Locke reported that there has been no significant influenza activity reported in Washington State to date. There have been a couple of isolated cases but no outbreak activity. Although December outbreaks of influenza are possible, they are more likely to occur in January after the holiday season when people are returning from vacation and travel and children are going back to school. With respect to pandemic influenza planning, Julia Danskin is currently working with the schools on an emergency preparedness plan and an infection control initiative as part of our Region 2 Pan-flu Plan. Member Masci recommended that we distribute a Public Health Newsletter as an insert in all city utility bills targeting the January bill mailing. 2007 Assessment Proiect Update Jean Baldwin reminded the Board that when the Board of County Commissioners passed the 1110 of 1 % tax increase to improve Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Treatment in Jefferson County, part of their plan included a community needs assessment component to give policy makers the information they need to set priorities and make budgetary decisions. JCPH was asked to monitor community needs and the impact of co- occurring disorders. Consequently, JCPH is contracting with Kitsap County Health District, (KCHD) to compile Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) data for the last 5 years. The state interviews about 150 Jefferson County residents each year as part of a statewide BRFSS profile. Kitsap is compiling this data and will put it into a format for comparison to previously collected Jefferson County BRFSS date to identify significant trends. KCHD will compile, update and present this information to the Data Steering Committee in March. Jean Baldwin has formally requested the use of sales tax funds immediately to begin this project. New Water Ouality Division Manaeer Mike McNickle introduced the new Water Quality Division Manager, Neil Harrington. Neil has a strong background in Marine Science. Environmental Health has restructured its organization, replacing the Natural Resources division with a new Water Quality Division. Emereency Preparedness - HAM Radio Certifications Six staff members from JCPH took the Federal Communication Commissions HAM Radio Exam and became certified in December. This capability will allow greater flexibility in maintaining communications during a health emergency and is part of JCPH's Emergency Preparedness Plan. NEW BUSINESS Appointment to Substance Abuse Advisorv Board Anne Winegar, Jefferson County Community Network Program Manager, was interviewed for appointment to the Substance Abuse Advisory Board. On behalf of the Interview Committee, Member Masci recommended that Anne Winegar be appointed to the Substance Abuse Advisory Board. Member Masci moved to approve Anne Winegar's appointment to the Snbstance Abuse Advisory Board. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote. Jefferson County Public Health Heroes - Follow-up Report Jean Baldwin spoke briefly about National Public Health Week, now in its 12th year. Celebrated in April, this year's Public Health Week theme is "Take The First Step!" Preparedness and Public Health Threats: Addressing the Unique Needs of the Nation's Vulnerable Populations." Jean presented the Board with a draft Press Release that included a list of potential categories for award recognition. Jean asked for suggestions and after some discussion it was concluded that the criteria need to be better defined and consolidated into fewer categories. Jean ",ill redraft the News Release and bring it back to the Board for consideration. Jefferson County Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Report 2005-2006 Dr. Locke briefed the Board on STD rates for 2005 and most of2006. He noted that an annual report on Communicable Disease activity to the local Board of Health is one of the standards for local public Health practice for which JCPH is measured. Communicable Disease surveillance data shows a significant increase in Chlamydia cases in Jefferson County from 2004 to 2005. This trend is being seen statewide. This increase prompted intensified efforts by JCPH to promote screening of at risk populations and assure all sexual partners of known cases are treated. Partner treatment is a key strategy in reducing Chlamydia rates. Chlamydia infection often does not cause symptoms-those who have it usually are not aware that they are infected. If an infected women's male sex partner does not receive treatment at the same time she does, that women can become re- infected with Chlamydia. An important strategy to improve partner treatment has been endorsed in recent years by the State Pharmacy Board and State Medical Association and is called 'Patient Delivered Partner Treatment'. This treatment strategy allows providers treating Chlamydia to give their patient a course of antibiotics to be given to their partner if that partner declines to be examined and treated. Treatment can be accomplished with a single dose of the antibiotic azithromycin. Dr. Locke reported that preliminary data for the first 11 months of 2006 shows that Chlamydia case reports are at about half the level seen the prior year. If this trend continues, it is strong evidence that intensified control efforts are having their desired effect. Communicable Disease Control Priority Settine Dr. Locke presented a follow up to the 4410 Public Health Funding presentation given at last month's Board of Health meeting. He was asked to be part of the statewide group of local public health officials charged with identifying public health service gaps and setting priorities for how additional funding should be used. The group drafted a list of priorities that identified gaps in public health services throughout the state. Six priority areas were identified: Stop Communicable Disease, Prevent Chronic Diseases, Invest in Healthy Families; Protect Against Environmental Health Risks, Improve Health Information; and Assure Access to Health Services. Investing in improved communicable disease control was the most urgent priority identified. There is a statewide rise in STDs and Washington's immunization rates are far lower than they should be. Jefferson County has one of the highest immunization exemption rates for school aged children. The Joint Select Committee used the priorities developed by the local public health official to make their recommendations for an additional $50 million per year for public health funding. . Jean reported back to the Board on the origination of the allocation formula used in determining public health funding. The formula used by the finance committee was based on a population base of 100,000. It was then determined what services and how many FTE equivalents would be needed to meet the criteria. The Senate Joint Select Committee will be looking at four things in the funding formula, including sales tax equalization, local service demand, financial incentives for local jurisdictions, and inter- or multi-jurisdictional service effectiveness. Dr. Locke and Jean Baldwin submitted a draft resolution to the Board. This resolution supports an increase in public health funding of$50 million a year for the 07-09 biennium. Jean pointed out that this funding may come from tobacco taxes and utility taxes. Member Masci moved to approve Resolution 06-01 with a change in funding to $200 million for the 2007-09 Biennium bringing it in line with King, Snohomish and Grays counties recommendations. Member Frissell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Jean Baldwin reported briefly on the new Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine stating the vaccine will eventually get into the Vaccine for Children Program. However, this federal program stops at age 18. The HPV vaccine is approved for women up to age 26; consequently the 19-26 year old population won't be covered in Washington State. The cost of the vaccine is expensive, at approximately $130 per dose in a 3-dose regime. Service Recoenition Letter Jean Baldwin, on behalf of the management staff of Jefferson County Public Health, presented Member Rodgers with a letter of recognition, thanking him for his invaluable service to the community while serving on the Board of Health. Meeting adjourned at 3.50 pm. Next Board of Health meeting is January 18,2007. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Excused a /,,~ David Sullivan, Chair ~hler, Member ~ l~ ~ W ~ {~--..------ " S st . an, Member Unavailable for signature Patrick M. Rodgers, Vice Chair ..f; /u' E~ d:/uU~(;t' Roberta Frissell, Member /"" '\ / . ~ @fMasci, Member -" Jefferson County Community Network August 17, 2006 Jefferson County Board ofHeatlh 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, W A 98368 Dear Board Members: Please accept this letter as application to serve on the Substance Abuse AdvisOlY Board. The position fits very well with my background, experience and current position as the Program Maoager for the Jefferson County Community Network. 1 feel I bring to the table a skill set that is transferable and relevant to the needs of the Substance Abuse Advisory Board. As Program Manager for the JCCN I am responsible for working with a volunteer board and looking at the big picture of prevention in Jefferson County. This includes prevention of substance abuse, with a particular emphasis on preventing youth substance abuse. The JCCN convenes a youth substance abuse prevention group named the Healthy Youth Coalition. This group is a 160-member group of youth-servicing agencies, organizations, school and parents. I also work with the Jefferson County Meth Action T earn. Currently the group is working towards bringing a viable Drug Endangered Children protocol to Jefferson County. The current effort is primarily focused on pregnant women and newborns, but we are also working on a broader protocol for all first responders in Jefferson County in the hope of getting help for families challenged by substance abuse. We hope to develop these programs in the next year. Though personal experience and volunteer opportunities I am very familiar and very comfortable with substance abuse issues (child through adult). While growing up I experienced living in a substance-abusing home. I personally experimented with and abused multiple substances and as a result of a lot of hard wOlk, education, treatment and faith, I recently celebrated 12 years of sobriety. Substance abuse is not going away in our community. The devastating effects of substance abuse are far-reaching and continually permeating aspects of our society with a negative impact on the health and overall well-being of youth and adults alike. My desire is to work within the community to provide opportunities for change, recovery and hope! I greatly appreciate your consideration. Please feel free to contact me at 360-379-4495 if you have additional questions. Thank you. Sincerely, Anne D. Winegar Program Manager .615 Sberidau. Castle BiB Center. Port Townsend, WA 98368. .360/379-4495. FAX385-940t.