ISLAND COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH - APRIL 6, 1998
MINUTES OF MEETING - SPECIAL SESSION
ROUGH DRAFT ONLY
The Island County Board of Health convened in Special Session at 11:55 a.m. on April 6, 998, in the Island County Courthouse Annex, Coupeville, Wa. The special session was held to consider the follow two items:
Board of Health members present included: Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman; Tom Shaughnessy, Member and Mike Shelton, Member. Others Present: Roger Case, M.D., Health Officer; Tim McDonald, Health Services Director; Joye Emmens, Environmental Health Director; and Carol McNeil, Nursing Supervisor.
RESOLUTION BOH-1-98 - Proclamation:
Public Health Week April 6 – 12, 1998
Tim McDonald pointed out that Public Health Week started today and proposed that the Board of Health adopt a resolution to proclaim Public Health Week in Island County April 6-12, 1998. He read the proclamation and provided copies to the Board, Press and others in the audience.
The Board members were interested in knowing whether efforts really had resulted in major improvements in the reduction of smoking.
Mr. McDonald believed that the tobacco industry understood that to do well in
marketing they have to do well with children because of the way children become
very addicted to tobacco. He thought that in this community efforts were making a difference, and that it is difficult to understand where that difference would be were that effort not being made. Island County has a very active and popular public education program in the community focused on children’s’ smoking, and a
successful smoking cessation program utilizing the hospital program as well.
By unanimous motion, the Board adopted Resolution BOH-1-98, Proclamation declaring the week of April 6 through 12, 1998, as Public Health Week in Island County.
P R O C L A M A T I O N
Resolution #BOH-1-98
BEFORE THE BOARD OF HEALTH
ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON
WHEREAS, National Public Health Week was established in 1995 as a way of recognizing the contributions of public health and prevention services to America’s well-being; and
WHEREAS, it is well recognized that public health represents society’s best effort to improve access to proven, cost-effective and preventive health services; and
WHEREAS, the major improvements in health status during this century have been a result of population-based public health programs such as safe drinking water and food supplies, reduction of smoking, promotion of oral health, immunizations, sewage disposal, and infections disease control; and
WHEREAS, the health of all Washingtonians depends upon the availability of adequate health education, protection and promotion; and
WHEREAS, Island County health officials are showcasing their many accomplishments in protecting Island County citizens’ health as part of this years National Public Health Week; and
WHEREAS, continued improvement of health for all people of Island County will require stronger relationships and common cause among diverse professional and citizens groups pursuing interest with health implications;
NOW THEREFORE, we the Island County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaim the week of April 6 through April 12, 1998 as PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK in Island County, in the State of Washington, and urge all citizens to join us in this observe by seeking knowledge and understanding of public health issues.
PROCLAIMED and ADOPTED this 6th day of April, 1998.
BOARD OF HEALTH ISLAND COUNTY WASHINGTON
Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman
Tom Shaughnessy, Member
Mike Shelton, Member
Discussion of Public Health Activities in Island County
In December of 1996 the Lewis Harris group conducted a National survey on how Americans felt about public health activities. The survey asked for rating of activities as very important, somewhat important, or not important; 93% of respondents rated preventing the spread of infectious disease as very important; 90% rated vaccinating to prevent disease as very important; 82% rated ensuring safe drinking water as very important; 72% rated encouraging healthy lifestyles as very important. Last month in Snohomish County, a similar survey was performed with similar results.
Throughout the country as well as local communities, Mr. McDonald stated that the role of public health agencies in these very important activities is frequently a well kept secret. Last week the Island County Health Department sent out four public health focus stories to local newspapers with the intent to improve public understanding of the various health programs [the 4 stories were not inclusive of all programs but were samples of public health activities in the community]. It was his belief that Island County has an outstanding public health staff and do award-winning work in many aspects. That staff is being honored and their continued good work this week and next week. He expressed the Department’s commitment to continue to
work hard in assisting the Board of Health to carry out its statutory requirement to supervise all matters for the health of the people of Island County.
Meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m. The next regular meeting
is scheduled for April 13, 1998 at 11:15 a.m.
BOARD OF HEALTH
ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman
Tom Shaughnessy, Member
Mike Shelton, Member