Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Attachment 1 3 <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />HEALTH DEPARTMENT <br />Improving health. Inspiring change. <br />January 9, 2015 <br />Mr. Paul Guthrie <br />Chair, Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) <br />131 W. Margaret Lane <br />Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br />Dear Mr. Guthrie, <br />Based on community feedback and local health data from the 2011 Orange County Community Health <br />Assessment, the Orange County Board of Health identified obesity as a top health concern in our 2012- <br />2014 and 2014 -2016 Strategic Plans. As I know you and the OUTBoard already recognize, a key <br />component of addressing obesity and its related health effects is to improve the built environment for <br />safe and accessible physical activity and transportation. In addition, transportation concerns are <br />frequently cited by clients of the Health Department in accessing our services, as well as services around <br />the county. <br />As a complement to the strong work that the OUTBoard is already doing to improve transportation and <br />the built environment, we believe including representation from public health on the OUTBoard will <br />further your capacity to examine transportation planning and funding decisions with a health lens. <br />Formally including a member of the Board of Health on the OUTBoard will provide regular opportunities <br />for continuous communication between public health, planning, and transportation to enhance decision <br />making, data sharing, and to conduct mutually reinforcing activities. <br />To this end, we are requesting that you include representation of public health through Board of Health <br />representation on the OUTBoard. We have identified a Board of Health member, Esther Earbin, as willing <br />and excited to serve in this capacity. We would also request that your Bylaws be amended to formally <br />recognize "public health" as an area of specialization (see Attachment A). <br />I look forward to this next step in working together to support Orange County residents. If you have any <br />questions, please let me know. <br />Sincerely, <br />4!M.A.- A &006 <br />Susan Elmore, MS, DVM <br />Chair <br />Orange County Board of Health <br />919 245 2400 > 300 West Tryon Street ), Hillsborough, NC 27278 > orangecountync.gov <br />