HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCT 25, 2017 MINUTES
Deschutes County Health Services
Public Health Advisory Board Retreat
MINUTES
MINUTES
October 25, 2017
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Deschutes National Forest Admin. Headquarters
Aspen/Ponderosa Conference Room
63095 Deschutes Market Rd., Bend
Facilitator Susan Keys, Former Board Chair
Staff Coordinator Tom Kuhn, Community Health Manager
Scribe Lisa Michael
Next Meeting December 6, 2017, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., Stan Owen Conference Room
Tom and Susan stated that the objective of the meeting was to choose 5 priorities to focus on in
the upcoming year. Susan asked the Board to write down their ideas so the Board as a whole
could vote on the top subjects. The priority objectives submitted were: 1. Tobacco Retail
Licensure, 2. Homelessness, 3. Immunizations, 4. Senior Health, 5. Air Quality (smoke), 6. WIC
and Nurse Family Support (Home Visits), 7. Environmental Health (unfunded work), 8. Addiction
Prevention, 9. Built Environment (walkable), and 10. Unintended Pregnancy.
Susan pointed out what PHAB’s role/function should be. We need to carve a path to becoming
a more proactive Board by following up on priorities and collaborate with the BOCC in order to
accomplish our mission. Below is a summary of each priority objective:
Tobacco Retail Licensure – DCHS is close to the end of completing its work on tobacco
licensing and is now considering this a short term project. Legislation has been moving along at
a rapid pace in the past few months, and as it stands right now, anyone can sell tobacco
products anywhere. If tobacco becomes licensed to sell, there will be better control over
retailers and who they are selling to and where. Legislation recently passed requiring the age
limit to be raised to age 21 in order to purchase starting in January 2018; however, there is still
a lot of underage buying and selling going on.
Homelessness – Homelessness is an emerging public health issue with no real programs that
serve this population directly. The needle exchange program helps some, but not all, and is
only a small part of the needs of the homeless. Recent data gathered by the State was just
published. Stacy Witte from the Bend Church will be joining PHAB and is very knowledgeable in
this area. This item should be one considered for the Strategic Plan.
Immunizations – Immunization rates are poor and Deschutes County has one of the lowest
rates in the state. The AFIX project is working with providers to improve these rates. There
has been a 7% increase already. A $500k grant has been awarded to fund for improving rates.
Other things to consider are the outbreak rates at ALF’s.
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 8/4/20
Senior Health – Chuck is advocating for more support for this group as there are no direct
geriatric programs. Opioid use, falls and mental health are a big issue.
Air Quality – Sizable wildfires are becoming the norm every year thus prompting the need for
prescribed burns for improved forest management. The Deschutes Collaborative and Nature
Conservancy is seeking a letter from PHAB in support of these prescribed burns before
December. This year the smoke from area wildfires was so intense, the air quality was
measured at PM 2.5, meaning there was a substantial amount of tiny particles in the area that
caused reduced visibility, haziness and severe respiratory problems, particularly for susceptible
populations.
WIC & Nurse Family Support – This program tends to be overshadowed by other programs,
but is now imbedded in prevention services. WIC relies solely on grant and general funding to
function in order to serve the pregnant women and infant population.
Environmental Health – Since this program continually receives public inquiries on such
issues as mold, radon, vector control, indoor air quality/climate control, etc. and is not funded to
do such work, DCHS may hire an employee to address these types of inquiries.
Addiction Prevention – Supports prevention, addiction, youth marijuana use,
alcohol/drug/opioid abuse.
Built Environment – Access to recreation (hiking trails, bike paths, etc.)
Unintended Pregnancy – Over half of pregnancies are unplanned. Reduces the need for
WIC.
Susan asked everyone to break up into small groups of 2 to 3, pick their favorite from the
submitted topics and then make a pitch to the entire Board on why they chose that program
and the reason for their cause.
The Board members voted and gave a pitch on the 5 following topics:
Immunizations
Increase vaccination rates and advocate to the BOCC on legislation related to
immunizations.
Senior Health
Acknowledge that unique problems exist with this population – include them in the plan.
*Air Quality
Continually getting worse each year.
Local and manageable (prescribed burns)
Timely, local wildfire management (federal and state policy). Advocacy group – PHAB to
plea pitch to fire agencies.
WIC/Nursing/Unplanned Pregnancies
Develop health report cards in schools
Postpartum report
Lifelong impact and economic
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 8/4/20
*Climate Change
Not overwhelming, thing we can do
Advocate to elected officials
*Air quality and climate change can be integrated as one.
Conclusion: mission, principles and priorities. Revisit these issues at next meeting and
prioritize which ones to address first and how to go about it.
PHAB Board Members Present: Kate Wells, Keith Winsor, Rebeckah Berry, Steve
Strang, Charla DeHate, Tami Pike, Charles Frazier, Jim Powell, Robert Ross and
Sharity Ludwig
Staff Members Present: Tom Kuhn, Hillary Saraceno, Pamela Ferguson, Lisa Michael
Guests: David Huntley
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 8/4/20