ISLAND COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH - MINUTES OF SPECIAL SESSION APRIL 5, 1999

 

The Island County Board of Health met in special session on April 5, 1999, at 9:15 a.m., in the Basement Hearing Room, Island County Courthouse Annex, Coupeville, Wa. The purpose of the special session was to consider proclaiming Public Health Week April 5 – 11, 1999, and a discussion of planned Public Health Activities in Island County.

Present were:

Board of Health Members: Mike Shelton, Chairman; Wm. L. McDowell, Member; and William F. Thorn, Member.

Island County Health Department: Tim McDonald, Health Services Director; Dr. Roger Case, Health Officer; Keith Higman, Environmental Health Director; Jan Dahl, Assessment Coordinator; Carol McNeil, Nursing Supervisor.

PROCLAMATION: RESOLUTION #C-37-99 [BOH-1-99]

Tim McDonald read a proposed Proclamation to proclaim the week of April 5 through April 11, 1999 as Public Health Week in Island County. The Board, by unanimous motion, adopted Resolution #C-37-99 [BOH-1-99] proclaiming Public Health Week April 5 through April 11, 1999.

PROCLAMATION

RESOLUTION #C-37-99 [BOH-1-99]

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 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 ensuring safe drinking water and food supplies, reduction of tobacco use, promotion of oral health and immunizations, sewage treatment and disposal, and infectious 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 focusing on disease prevention by promoting hand washing during this Public Health Week; and

WHEREAS, continued improvement of health of all people of Island County will require continued, strong public health promotion and education;

NOW THEREFORE, we, the Island County Board of Health, hereby proclaim the week of April 5 through April 11, 1999 as PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK in Island County, in the State of Washington, and urge all citizens to join us in this observance by seeking knowledge and understanding of public health issues.

PROCLAIMED and ADOPTED this 5th day of April, 1999.

BOARD OF HEALTH

ISLAND COUNTY WASHINGTON

Mike Shelton, Chairman

Wm. L. McDowell, Member

William F. Thorn, Member

Public Health Activities in Island County

Focus On The Importance of Hand Washing.

Some of the planned public health activities in conjunction with Public Health Week in Island County April 5 through April 11, 1999, were reviewed by Mr. McDonald. This year’s focus is on the importance of hand washing and people need to understand the potential deadliness of not washing hands; for instance, Salmonella, E. coli and staphylococci can be transmitted via hands. Some 1,000 people a year die from Salmonella infection in the United States and over 80,000 people are infected by Salmonella . New research indicates that more than half the public carry highly toxic strains of staphylococci. Even risk for the common cold can be reduced by more than 60% just by washing hands. Important aspects of washing hands include: use soap; wash long enough; wash throughout hands and fingers; wash often enough; do not re-contaminate; and be alert on how many people reach to their hands, skin, etc. with their hands. Low-cost Burma shave signs are being used throughout the County to call awareness and remind people about the importance of washing hands

Preview For Next Week’s Regular Board of Health Meeting

One of the most exciting things occurring in terms of research in public health now is in the area of brain growth and the opportunities it provides to significantly reduce risks in families that are at risk from a number of factors. There has been a lot of research over the last several years indicating it is clear that the first 33 months of life [conception to two years of age] is a very critical period with respect to growth physically, mentally and

emotionally. That research has many implications for policy setters, parents, citizens

and teachers. At the regular Board of Health meeting scheduled next Monday, some of the research findings will be highlighted, and a discussion of how those findings play out in local programs, and share highlights from a November 1998 Juvenile Justice bulletin describing the successful program to reduce juvenile crime and violence. As "homework" for Board of Health Members, Mr. McDonald asked they read the book entitled Ghosts in the Nursery, a book about this general topic.

Along with that report, Commissioner Thorn indicated his interest in the status of funding and the basis in law surrounding age 0 to three programs.

Special Board of Health meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.

ISLAND COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH

Mike Shelton, Chairman

Wm. L. McDowell, Member

Wm. F. Thorn, Member