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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> September 25, 2024 <br /> Dr. Rachel Royce <br /> Dr. Royce inquired about the process for the board to create a resolution, which Ms. <br /> Stewart explained would involve getting consensus as a board, finalizing a draft resolution, <br /> approving it, and submitting it to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for review and <br /> support. Dr. Royce clarified that fact-finding for a resolution could be done within an existing <br /> committee if the goal aligns with their priority or that she could call for the formation of an Ad <br /> Hoc Committee. She said that she would share more details at a future meeting. <br /> Dr. Jonnal commented favorably on the fact that so many board members seem interested in <br /> doing substantive work to improve the community's health. <br /> Dr. Royce shared that she had signed up to assist with Medicaid Enrollment but had <br /> experienced difficulties connecting with anyone who could give her actual tasks to do. She <br /> shared that she finally connected with Sierra Elrahal from Legal Aid, an organization which <br /> works to connect folks who are eligible for Medicaid with resources, support, and even actual <br /> healthcare. She said that she has become a volunteer with this group and has helped share <br /> flyers about Medicaid expansion with more than 250 individuals through PORCH and by <br /> canvassing for voter registration. Dr. Stuebe expressed appreciation for the idea of leveraging <br /> existing community organizations such as PORCH to share resources and wondered if the <br /> Connections to Community Support Committee could explore something similar. <br /> Dr. Royce suggested that the board could invite someone from Legal Aid to speak in the future, <br /> and Ms. Stewart encouraged her to reach out to Jean Phillips-Weiner, Board of Health Strategic <br /> Plan Manager, to facilitate this. <br /> Tony Whitaker <br /> Mr. Whitaker asked how to make a request for further support, for example from health <br /> department staff, for initiatives that the board is interested in. Ms. Stewart said that board <br /> members should reach out to Ms. Phillips-Weiner first and she would help connect them to the <br /> appropriate people. <br /> IV. Priority Committee Updates <br /> Behavioral Health Committee <br /> Dr. Crandell provided the update for the Behavioral Health Committee. He shared that the <br /> committee had met in mid-September and heard from Dr. Karl Johnson, a professor at UNC <br /> Gillings, about the impact of social media and screen use on youth mental health. Dr. Crandell <br /> mentioned that Dr. Johnson is involved in an initiative in the Granville County School System to <br /> evaluate the impact of phone bans in schools on youth mental health. Commissioner Fowler <br /> mentioned that several counties in North Carolina have now implemented phone bans. Dr. <br /> Crandell shared that Ms. Stewart is seeking to reestablish relationships with the schools post- <br /> COVID. Regarding equity, much of the presentation focused on the differences in mental health <br /> outcomes related to gender, with girls and young women much more negatively impacted by <br /> screen time and social media use compared to boys and young men. Dr. Crandell also shared <br /> that the committee reviewed racial data on EMS calls in Orange County related to suicide and <br /> noted that Black people are overrepresented in suicide-related calls while white people are <br /> underrepresented. <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2024 Agenda and Abstracts/ <br /> September Page 2 <br />