HomeMy WebLinkAboutPHAB 08-06-24 Minutes
Minutes
Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB)
August 6, 2024
12:00 – 1:30pm
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Facilitator Rob Ross, MD, PHAB Chair
Staff Coordinator Tom Kuhn, PHAB Coordinator
Scribe Aimee Burroughs
Next Meeting September 3, 2024 – Stan Owen Room, 2577 NE Courtney Dr.
Topic and Lead
Gathering
5 minutes
Introductions
5 minutes – Colleen
Approval of the May Minutes
5 minutes
Not enough members for this.
Announcements and Updates
15 minutes
Any Public Comment?
No
Tom’s new role – Tom
Tom is now a Senior Management Analyst; being able to commit bandwidth to more projects
and making PHAB more of a robust group. Heather thanked Tom for all of his work, and excited
about what he is going to do with this new role. Emily Horton is now the EH manager as well as
preparedness.
PHAB Survey – Tom & Colleen
Tom and Colleen are putting this together for members; how things are going, how we can
improve, how can we better diversify members in the group, participation expectation of
members. Anyone who would like to work with Tom and Colleen, Ruth volunteered.
Membership Recruitment update – Tom
Can have up to 15 members, usually around 13, must have a minimum of 9 memebers.
Currently have members, so we will be doing more of an active member recruitment. COHC
hired a new director and that will be someone we try and get to join PHAB. More to come!
Ruth commented that he knows someone that might want to be on the PHAB and asked for
more guidelines on what we are looking for. Generally a healthcare professional that has some
expertise.
Health Hero Awards update – Tom
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 9/18/24
Great event in June to celebrate Health Heros! Good turnout and lots of community and mingling
and socializing.
Reproductive Health Update – Heather Kaisner
Over the past decade, we have observed a substantial and continued decrease in clients and
visits to our reproductive health clinic which has resulted in a reduced clinical team and a
decreased ability to cover operating cost. Reproductive health needs have shifted as well with
longer-lasting birth control methods available as well as community clinics like Planned
Parenthood who offer same day appointments. Due to this and in light of some new vacancies
on the clinic team, we have made the decision to close the DC clinics, stopping services in
September. We are working closely with our community partners to ensure services to the
community. We still see a need for STD services and will continue to evolve those as needed.
Melissa commented about access is critical meds for post-abortion meds and the importance of
warm hand-offs of those clients.
Ruth commented that he is working on a project to get things like STI meds and Narcan in
specific vending machines in the county.
Colleen commented lots of gratitude to the clinic team and asked if there is movement for them
within the county or how we are helping them transition. Heather remarked that within the small
team there are 2 leaving and one that we are possibly able to transition within the county.
Climate & Health
30 Minutes – Sarah Worthington, Climate & Health Coordinator
See attached presentation
Overview of theme and topics on climate and health and what it looks like in Central Oregon.
Well Water testing program set up in Rural Deschutes county, received testing and results and
25% of those tested said their Well were affected by drought, called the West Bend Pilot Project.
Joint project to create a OnePager to educate about smoke BEFORE prescribed burns and fire
season so people were able to be ready for smoke events. Also did outreach to help people be
educated on smoke and get signed up for text alerts, provided Meals on Wheels handouts and
direct messaging to seniors.
Additional projects: provide information on clean air spaces in the community. Many indoor
cooling centers aren’t used, so kits were assembled to help those at-risk during heat/smoke
events.
Climate and Health portion is included in the RHA (regional health report).
Questions:
Ruth asked what we can do in smoke events? Sarah answered that the #1 is to keep exposure
limited. Understanding what the AQI means and how to modify your behavior during smoke
events. For those that have chronic conditions or those that are more susceptible, doing those
PAKU App is the best for understanding Air Quality; Sarah will send out a list of resources.
Commissioner Chang commented that he thinks there is a movement in terms of occupational
health in relation to temperature and smoke events; what are Sarahs’ thoughts. Sarah stated
that OSHA issued new rules regarding how employers need to be prepared for and protect
employees from smoke and heat events. The rules are in place but the degree at which they are
enforced or actively implemented is a grey area. Commissioner asked about anything at the
Federal level, but Sarah hadn’t heard of anything at that level. Erin asked if there is a website or
app to distinguish between wildfire or prescribed burn when you see smoke. Sarah recommends
signing up for text alerts which will update you on when a prescribed burn is happening.
Link: https://centraloregonfire.org/
Ruth commented on the lack of masks and PPE during the most current wild fire in North Bend,
which was very surprising. Sarah did say that firefighters are exempt from the PPE guidelines.
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 9/18/24
Commissioner Chang said that he has witnessed something like 200 domestic wells go dry in his
time in Central Oregon. Partially from increased population and partly from lack of precipitation.
Some wells are exempt wells that the state doesn’t regulate which means we don’t know very
much about these wells. There is increased pressure to be able to regulate and monitor these
wells for increased information and synergy.
Ruth asked why the wells are going dry and it was determined several reasons, but the most
probable is the wells weren’t dug deep enough.
Tom asked if Sarah has a specific ask of PHAB for support. Sarah answered that the work she is
doing for the RHA and RHIP, she would like to present to the PHAB and get guidance and
thoughts on it.
PHAB Strategic Dialogue Session (reoccurring)
25 minutes – All PHAB Members
Nothing at this time.
Adjourn
Tom adjourned at 1:10pm
In Attendance: Ruth, Heather, Phil, Melissa, Heather, Sarah W., Tom, Aimee, Erin
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 9/18/24