Orange County NC Website
MINUTES-Draft <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> November 15, 2023 <br /> Dr. Baldwin echoed Dr. Jonnal, saying the listening session he attended was enlightening. <br /> He encouraged the other board members to participate and asked how many more listening <br /> sessions were scheduled to take place, to which Ms. Stewart replied there was only one more <br /> scheduled (for the day after the meeting) but due to low turnout to the first few sessions, there <br /> may be additional opportunities scheduled before the end of the year. <br /> Dr. Royce chimed in to share that she attended a session with a smaller turnout, but still found it <br /> fruitful. She agreed that the board should reevaluate what issues can be meaningfully <br /> addressed rather than assuming they could not have an impact. Dr. Royce specifically <br /> highlighted advocacy, saying the board can always take a position on an issue or elect to learn <br /> more. She also expressed that it was moving to hear people talk about mental health issues. <br /> Dr. Brian Crandell <br /> Dr. Crandell asked how many community members had attended a listening session. Ms. <br /> Williams said that about forty to fifty total participants had attended a listening session and that <br /> about one hundred total people had completed the priority voting survey. <br /> Dr. Crandell went on to say that he stands by the position he stated at the March meeting <br /> opposing Daylight Saving's Time and that there is evidence that it is bad for people's health. He <br /> added that anecdotally, he feels poorly for weeks after the time change, and that he believes <br /> society should pick a time and stick to it. Mr. Bagby said that the issue is currently in Congress <br /> (the Sunshine Protection Act). <br /> Tony Whitaker <br /> Mr. Whitaker echoed the other board members that the listening sessions were powerful. <br /> He said that it made him contemplate the SDOH and that these are big and real factors in health <br /> even if they are outside the traditional bounds of what is considered healthcare. He added that <br /> he is now contemplating how the board can address these issues and work outside traditional <br /> limits while still observing appropriate constraints. <br /> Dr. Alison Stuebe <br /> Dr. Stuebe shared that during the COVID-19 pandemic an article had been published in the <br /> Atlantic by Ed Yong about the evolution of public health over time. She mentioned that with the <br /> advent of microbes, healthcare moved away from infrastructure and focused on the individual, <br /> even though infrastructure is still very much needed. <br /> Dr. Stuebe also said that she believes SDOH are very salient and were relevant in the recent <br /> municipal elections. She mentioned that zoning laws often make housing unaffordable and <br /> suggested it might be a good idea to have an urban planning subject matter expert come to a <br /> future board meeting. <br /> Keith Bagby <br /> Mr. Bagby added that one of the listening sessions he attended discussed SDOH, and that <br /> Dana Crews, Community Health Services Director, had stated that the Health Department has <br /> connections and representation with other coalitions and collaborations, allowing the <br /> department to express its opinions and have a greater impact on topics that are outside the <br /> scope of traditional healthcare (e.g., affordable housing) than it might otherwise. <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda&Abstracts\2023 Agenda&Abstracts/ <br /> November Page 2 <br />