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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPHAB 02-07-23 Minutes Deschutes County Health Services Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB) Minutes Minutes February 7, 2023 12:00 – 1:30pm Facilitator Tom Kuhn (both Chairs absent) Staff Coordinator Tom Kuhn, Community Health Manager Scribe Aimee Burroughs Next Meeting March 7, 2023 Topic and Lead Gathering & Lunch Introductions Approval of December Minutes Steve motioned for the December minutes to be approved; Colleen seconded; Previous minutes approved. Announcements and Unfinished Business Colleen shared that the housing project that has been in the works for 3 years is breaking ground soon. She mentioned that this housing will serve chronically homeless individuals - generally those living with chronic health conditions and disabilities. Commissioner Chang is going to DC to; making some requests of senators. Tom updated us on Health Heroes, which will present in May. He also gave us the Public Health Director update, sharing that Heather Kaisner starts on March 1. Tom shared a Legislative update and prioritizing bills that are PH specific, SB5525; this is for PH modernization. Commissioner Chang stated that COVID is fast receding from legislative minds. The PHAB supports certain bills and Tom will be reaching out to members to sign letters of support if needed. Tom brought up that Hybrid meetings are costing us a lot of money and he suggests us going every other month of in person and then all online. Group wants to discuss more. PHAB Priorities Data & Discussion Mathew Christensen, PhD, Epidemiologist Mathew spoke about suicide rates; houselessness rates and how that effects ED visits; drug overdoses. See presentation slides attached. Colleen noted that preliminary data from St Charles looked like hospital visits from unhooked people cost, on average, 8x more than a housed patient. There was also comments from the group wanting to know more about ten suicide rates and why it is so high. Everyone agreed “To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 1/30/24 this was a great presentation. Wildfire Planning Update for 2023 Sarah Worthington, MPH, RD, Climate & Health Coordinator Sarah shared a recap of 2022 Wildfire Season and what is happening for planning for 2023. In 2022 senate bill 762 funded quite a bit of work related to wildfire. We were able to provide 13 Industrial Air scrubbers and 750 residential air purifiers around Deschutes County. This program will continue in 2023. Program in development for an Indoor Air Quality Program; it addresses to help people understand air quality in their home and provides free test kits. Engagement has been limited for this program. 2022 Wildfires; Deschutes County was for the st most part unaffected until the Cedar Creek wildfire started on August 1. It lasted 3 months and led to evacuations in Oakridge after a September wind event shifted and created hazardous air quality. Learning event; schools were given air scrubbers to be prepared but didn’t know how and when to use them. 2023 Planning for wildfire season. There is a Central Oregon Fire Website is a primary communication tool for fire information. There are many resources for the community on smoke education on the website. Lots of organizations that are supporting this kind of work, thanks to bill 762 there are additional resources to support this education and messaging across the region. Great presentation Sarah, thank you for the updates! Adjourn Tom adjourned the meeting. In Attendance: Tom Kuhn Logan Clawson Steve Strang Phil Chang Sarah Worthington Mathew Christensen Ruth Vernotico Lindsay Atagi Erin Fitzpatrick Carmen Madrid Colleen Sinsky Tami Pike Sarah Baron Aimee Burroughs “To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 1/30/24