BOH minutes 052297 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

BOARD OF HEALTH MAY 22, 1997 2 4. APPROVE GROUNDWATER PROTECTION RULES Ron Holdway presented the revised Groundwater Protection Rules for the Board’s review and approval. The motion was made by Dr. Klein and seconded by Dr. Adler to approve the Groundwater Protection Rules as submitted. The motion carried without dissent. 5. REPORT ON MEN’S HEALTH IN ORANGE COUNTY Dr. Angle gave a presentation on Men’s Health in Orange County, noting that handouts had been provided for the Board members in their packets. Her primary focus was the mortality rate, its causes and preventions. Education is the key to prevention. We can address unintentional injury, cancer, heart disease and firearms and these are the top four causes of death for men in Orange County. Mr. Currie stated that, if you look at the figures realistically, the black male is an endangered species. The question is, in Orange County, what is being done? Mr. Reimer responded that some creative ways are being implemented, particularly with the Kellogg money, to focus on young black men. The Efland project, Teens in Power, is really focused on young men at the middle and high school age. This is a group that is doing some excellent things for themselves academically and for their future. Teens in Power has had mentoring programs, summer camps, exposure to a variety of professions, and career training. There are a lot of things in that model and it would be good to see that model exposed to other areas in the State. The adult health clinics have senior citizens coming in for blood pressure checks, cholesterol checks, and a variety of other chronic conditions. Those are general, not necessarily targeted to African-American males, but African-American males do come to them. Senior citizens also have access to screening programs and nutrition education. There is not a categorical program for black males. Mr. Currie asked what is being done to encourage African-American men to go to physicians and not fear them . Mr. Reimer noted there is a teen clinic that sees kids of all backgrounds that is supported by school nurses who refer kids to the clinic. Within the Career Development Program of Teens in Power, Marian Phillips spoke to the teens, exposing them to health careers. Arrangements have been made for a summer camp at the University where teens spend time in the various health profession schools. The goal is to open their minds to careers in health professions and expose them to the kinds of course work they need to take during the middle and high school years to prepare themselves for pre-medical and other health related studies. In the process of that exposure, some of the fears about medical care are being desensitized. Dr. Klein observed that, if there were no physicians or other health care providers in Orange County, and only a huge number of health educators who were effective in getting people to quit smoking, understand the importance of avoiding other toxic substances, exercise regularly, store firearms appropriately, not drink and drive, and be careful with farm equipment, there would be far fewer deaths than if the number of physicians was tripled. Getting the word out to the public that health is dependent on one’s lifestyle is imperative. Health does not just happen by chance. It happens deliberately to people who live a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Ives commented that many of these issues are already being addressed and others are beginning to be addressed. The strategic planning process is looking at areas there really needs to be a vision for and this needs to be considered. A marketing plan for the Health Department is already in the Health Director’s work plan. Men’s health is an issue which will continue to be addressed.