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MINUTES-Draft <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> August 23,2023 <br /> recommendation to the schoolboard for ways to help manage and limit this risk, as schools <br /> generally do not have limits on screentime. <br /> In response, Mr. Bagby asked if Dr. Jonnal felt the board could address this alone or if they <br /> would need outside help. Dr. Jonnal answered that Dr. Royce and the board could likely review <br /> data and get an idea of the risk and quality of existing data, but that the board should also look <br /> for a local expert to speak on the topic. Dr. Royce seconded the idea of finding a local expert to <br /> assist with this topic and said that she'd be happy to help look for an expert to help. <br /> Dr. Alison Stuebe <br /> Dr. Stuebe shared the Vital Conditions model, which she compared to the Social <br /> Determinants of Health but with a larger focus on conditions of wellness vs. illness. She stated <br /> that while acute services will always be needed, without community and wellness, people will <br /> not thrive. She feels that it's important to consider what conditions are needed for community <br /> members to really thrive, especially with the CHA coming out soon. Dr. Stuebe also shared a <br /> personal story about a pregnant patient who recently came into the emergency department after <br /> being hit by a car while walking in an area without a sidewalk. While the patient and baby are <br /> both okay, Dr. Stuebe expressed that she would like the board to consider things like safe <br /> environments and reliable transportation, including access to sidewalks. <br /> Dr. Rodgers asked if there was a citation for the model, to which Dr. Stuebe replied there was <br /> more information online. Dr. Jonnal asked what organization had adopted this model, to which <br /> Dr. Stuebe replied that The Ripple Foundation introduced it, and it has been adopted by the <br /> Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Dr. Jonnal added that she feels we are so <br /> focused on treatment in this country rather than prevention, which she feels is a detriment to <br /> overall well-being. Dr. Stuebe agreed that we need to create civic muscles to cultivate positives <br /> in communities. <br /> Dr. Rachel Royce <br /> Dr. Royce expressed that she would like to hear regular Community Health Assessment <br /> (CHA) updates during board meetings going forward, for example as a standing agenda item. <br /> She also shared that there is a new variant of COVID-19 (EG.5) emerging, with 35 mutations on <br /> the spike protein, making it more likely to evade existing immunity. While the existing vaccines <br /> will help protect people, she said it's as big a change as from the Wuhan variant to the Omicron <br /> variant and that wastewater and hospitalization data suggest that new cases are beginning to <br /> trend upwards. She recommended that board members use Your Local Epidemiologist or The <br /> People's CDC to follow the new variant. <br /> Mr. Bagby asked if Dr. Royce would like an update on the CHA tonight, to which she replied that <br /> she did not want to put anyone on the spot. Ms. Stewart said that CHA updates will be added to <br /> future meetings and that she would add a brief update to her Health Director's Report tonight. <br /> Dr. Bruce Baldwin <br /> Dr. Baldwin referenced Dr. Jonnal's previous comment about screentime and added that <br /> there is an established relationship between high levels of screentime and an increased risk of <br /> developing myopia, which could potentially impact mental health. <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda&Abstracts\2023 Agenda&Abstracts/ <br /> August Page 2 <br />