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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> January 22, 2025 <br /> Access to Care Committee <br /> The Access to Care Committee will next meet in late January. <br /> Ad Hoc Committee on Well Rules <br /> The Ad Hoc Committee on Well Rules will next meet in early February. <br /> Behavioral Health Committee <br /> The Behavioral Health Committee will next meet in late February. <br /> V. Approval of the January 22, 2025, Agenda <br /> Motion to approve the agenda of the January 22, 2025, BOH meeting was made by Dr. <br /> Aparna Jonnal, seconded by Commissioner Amy Fowler, and carried without dissent. <br /> VI. Approval of November 20, 2024, Minutes <br /> Motion to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2024, BOH meeting was made by <br /> Commissioner Amy Fowler, seconded by Dr. Shielda Rodgers, and carried without <br /> dissent. <br /> VII. Educational Sessions <br /> A. Nutrition Services and Employee Health and Wellness Update <br /> Amber Benner, Nutrition Program Manager, presented an update on the Nutrition Services and <br /> Employee Health and Wellness program over the past year. <br /> Some highlights of her presentation are below: <br /> • Ms. Benner provided an overview of the Medical Nutrition Therapy Program. She <br /> explained that not all counties have medical nutrition counseling, but Orange County <br /> offers it for patients to help manage conditions like heart disease, gestational diabetes, <br /> iron deficiency, high levels of lead, and appropriate feeding and growth in children. She <br /> said that Medical Nutrition Therapy offers additional support beyond what a healthcare <br /> provider can offer in the time constraints of a normal appointment. The dieticians cover <br /> not only nutrition but also medication management and physical activity with patients. <br /> • OCHD offers sliding scale payments to increase access, which is especially helpful for <br /> those with Medicaid or Medicare, which only cover Medical Nutrition Therapy for patients <br /> living with diabetes or with chronic kidney illness. Ms. Benner explained that they are <br /> able to see patients for as low as $20. <br /> • About 50% of patients receiving Medical Nutrition Therapy are Maternal or Child Health <br /> patients. Nearly three quarters (74%) of patients need language services, with the <br /> majority (78%) of language services being provided in Spanish. <br /> • Telehealth services are available to increase access, which is especially beneficial for <br /> maternal health patients, but there is more demand for in-person services. Ms. Benner <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2025 Agenda and Abstracts/ <br /> January Page 5 <br />