BOH agenda 062718 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Priority: Physical Activity and Nutrition Obesity remains a top health concern for Orange County adults and children. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in Orange County, and heavily influenced by physical activity and nutrition. Prevention is the most effective way to address obesity and the chronic diseases related to it. Effective prevention means ensuring safe places for physical activity and access to healthy foods in all communities. The Board of Health will work to address these issues through the focus areas and subsequent action steps below. Focus Area #1: Advocate for and pursue policies, practices, and partnerships aimed at increasing access to healthy foods and safe places for physical activity. 1) By December 2018, the BOH will collaborate with the Orange County Food Council and UNC Students to explore food policies that are feasible to implement in the Orange County community. 2) By June 2019, the PAN Subcommittee will explore the creation of a health app, to highlight safe places for physical activity and nutrition options in Orange County. Focus Area #2: Advocate for and pursue evidence-based policies, practices, and partnerships that increase physical activity and improve nutrition in schools. 1) Each fiscal year for the school systems in Orange County, the Board of Health will offer a formalized small grant opportunity to all schools to implement in-class or other physical activity programs. Priority: Substance Abuse & Mental Health Substance abuse and mental health issues permeate local public health. From exposure to environmental tobacco smoke causing an increase in cardiovascular disease to the challenges associated with ensuring medication compliance in a depressed patient with a communicable disease, mental health and substance abuse have far-reaching health and economic impacts. Addressing these problems will take a fully engaged and active presence by all organizations serving these clients. The Board of Health will address this issue through the focus areas and subsequent action steps below. Focus Area #1: Serve as a catalyst and advocate for policies and practices that promote integrated care in the Orange County Health Department and other medical providers in the county. 1) By March 2019, Health Department staff will investigate the feasibility, follow-up referral options, and reimbursement barriers for primary care providers to provide and bill for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), telephone and face-to-face consultation with behavioral health providers, and care provided by a be- havioral health and primary care provider on the same day in the same clinic. Focus Area #2: Advocate for and pursue policies, practices, and partnerships that improve substance abuse and mental health services in Orange County, especially to Action Steps Page 4 Action Steps