CECIL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT J U LY 1, J U N E 3 0,

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1 CECIL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT A N N UA L R E P O R T F IS C A L Y E A R J U LY 1, J U N E 3 0,

2 Message from the Board of Health It has been said that our most important asset is good health. The Cecil County Board of Health works in a partnership with you, your family and your community to protect that vital asset. The Board of Health is composed of the County Commissioners and the Health Officer. Every year the Cecil County Health Department reports to the public what they have accomplished. Enclosed is the report for Fiscal Year Working together we will continue to be a healthy county. Nelson K. Bolender, President Message from the Health Officer This Annual Report, like those of previous years, shows some of the ways in which public health impacts life in Cecil County. All residents are protected by the public health system in our county. What is public health? One way to answer this question is by listing what public health does. Six essential functions of the public health system have been described: Preventing epidemics and the spread of disease Protecting against environmental hazards Preventing injuries Promoting and encouraging healthy behaviors Responding to disasters and assisting in recovery, and Assuring the quality and accessibility of health services. This report identifies specific accomplishments in each of these categories during Fiscal Year In addition, the Cecil County Community Health Advisory Committee has identified five priority health problems for focused efforts during this decade. Community task forces are helping to plan strategies for each of the priority health problems, including: 1. Tobacco use 2. Cancer 3. Lifestyle and nutrition 4. Accidents and unintentional injury, and 5. Alcohol and drug abuse. During Fiscal Year 2006, the Alcohol and Drug Task Force was expanded and appointed as the Cecil County Alcohol and Drug Council. Everyone s help is needed to improve public health. You can help, for example, by ensuring that your children receive all their immunizations, by encouraging your family and neighbors in their efforts to stop smoking, or by joining one of the task forces. This report sets forth some of the many activities involved in improving the health of Cecil County. We hope you will find it interesting. If you have any questions or comments about the work of the Health Department, or if you would like to participate in one of the task forces, please call us at Virginia R. Bailey, MD, MPH Health Officer

3 Preventing Epidemics and the Spread of Disease Communicable Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Control Reports of communicable disease are collected, investigated, and analyzed, to alert physicians and the public of trends and unusual occurrences. When an outbreak occurs, appropriate action is taken to stop or control it. (See Responding to Disasters and Assisting Communities in Recovery ) Rabies Control Tests suspected animals and ensures preventive treatment for persons possibly exposed to the disease. 80 animals were tested and 7 specimens tested positive for rabies, including 5 raccoons, 1 fox, and 1 cat. 11 people received post-exposure vaccine Pre-exposure immunization is available to people at risk Immunization Program Ensures that children in Cecil County are immunized appropriately, provides annual influenza immunizations. Immunization records of 6,000 children were reviewed with follow-up as appropriate, to assure immunization compliance 209 children received 536 immunizations 4,362 flu shots given HIV/AIDS Prevention Program Educates about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention and provides HIV counseling and testing services. Education programs are available to community groups. 18 educational presentations provided to community groups 474 people received counseling and testing services Protecting Against Environmental Hazards Safety of Water and Sewerage Systems Reviews plans for construction, tests water quality, and does soil evaluations and percolation tests to insure proper sewage disposal, in order to prevent disease caused by water contamination. Issued 224 Sanitary Construction Permits for new sewerage systems and reviewed 1,097 additional Building Permits Issued 172 permits for repair or replacement of sewerage systems 638 Well Construction Permits issued Public Protection from Foodborne Illness and Disease Inspects food service facilities and ensures that food is prepared under safe and healthy conditions. 731 permits issued to food service facilities 3,280 inspections of food service facilities conducted Recreational Sanitation Tests water quality of beaches and swimming pools and inspects public recreational facilities to prevent disease. Seasonal water quality testing conducted at 18 bathing beaches 50 swimming pools and 25 camps inspected Air Quality Investigates complaints and coordinates enforcement in conjunction with Maryland Department of Environment. 521 burning permits issued Lead Poisoning Prevention Provides community outreach, notice of elevated blood lead levels and case management for lead poisoned children. 100% of families of lead-poisoned children received case management 29 community sites targeted with prevention information

4 Preventing Injuries Highway Safety Project Addresses impaired driving, seatbelt usage, inattentive driving, bicycle and pedestrian safety through small grants to local law enforcement agencies for education and enforcement. Injury Prevention Educates at-risk youth about the dangers of drug use and impaired driving through the Basic Alcohol Education and Prevention Program implemented in collaboration with the Department of Juvenile Services. Child Fatality Review Board (CFRB) Works with several Cecil County organizations and committees to collaboratively investigate child injuries and fatalities to determine possible community prevention actions. The Cecil County Perinatal/Child Death Community Action Team (CAT) implemented the Back to Sleep Campaign with community partners to promote the importance of putting infants on their backs for sleeping to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Educational information distributed in baby bottle bags to 204 expectant mothers. Promoting and Encouraging Healthy Behaviors Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program Provides prevention and cessation education and services. Prevention activities held in 25 public and 8 private schools, 31 pre-schools and at Cecil Community College 808 residents received nicotine patches, individual consultation or participated in smoking cessation groups 19 secondhand smoke programs presented to 225 individuals 35 outreach volunteers educated 408 residents about tobacco cessation services through one-to-one contacts 125 tobacco merchants were educated on youth access laws 31 citations issued for underage possession or sales to minors Community groups funded for 7 tobacco use prevention programs reaching 346 participants Dental Sealant Program Provides dental education and dental sealants to children in two schools in Cecil County and two in Harford County. 226 second graders received dental education 145 children screened by dentist 112 children received dental sealant application Just Us! Minority Women Outreach Project Funded by the Maryland Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, provides breast cancer screening services to eligible women who have signs and symptoms or are at high risk for breast cancer, and provides community education for residents in Cecil, Kent and Harford Counties. 42 women received breast cancer screening services 1 workshop held in collaboration with Union Hospital for 100 women Sexual Abstinence Education After school activities teach decision-making skills to reduce the risk of pregnancy and high risk behaviors. 1 abstinence peer mentoring training conducted for 188 participants 3 after-school programs conducted for 43 participants Responding to Disasters and Assisting Communities in Recovery Emergency Preparedness and Response The Health Department works with the Cecil County Department of Emergency Services and other partner agencies to respond and provide public health services in disasters and is available on a 24-hour basis for public health emergencies through the Department of Emergency Services. Coordinated local public health activities for Hurricane Katrina response Participated in the biannual Peach Bottom radiological emergency response exercise Seasonal influenza vaccination clinics provided mass prophylaxis response Training for Health Department staff in chemical, radiological, bioterrorism and natural disaster response. Healthy People, Healthy Community, Healthy Future

5 Assuring the Quality and Accessibility of Health Services Helping People with Access to Community Services: Maryland Children s Health Program (MCHP) Processes applications for this medical insurance program for children up to age 19 and for pregnant women. 3,887 applications for children and 437 for pregnant women processed Adult Evaluation and Review Services Provides assistance to aged and/or functionally disabled adults who are at risk of institutionalization. 347 visits were conducted Medical Assistance Transportation Program Provides transportation to non-emergency medical appointments for Medicaid recipients. 12,465 client trips completed Mental Health Core Service Agency Provides local oversight of the Public Mental Health System, assesses mental health service needs of community, promotes development and monitors quality of public mental health services, and assures access to quality mental health services. 1,836 individuals served in the public mental health system 940 individuals received additional specialized services Developmental Disabilities Program Provides service coordination and case management to children and adults with developmental disabilities. 392 individuals provided on-going case management 114 individuals provided information and referral Administrative Care Coordination/Ombudsman Program (ACCU) Assists clients with medical assistance in resolving problems in accessing care. 704 clients assisted Providing Clinical Preventive and Treatment Services: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Services provided to adults and children. 869 evaluations provided for 766 clients 8,414 group sessions and 782 individual appointments provided to 482 clients 81 clients provided with 2,181 clinical sessions at the Cecil County Detention Center and the Community Adult Rehabilitation Center Cancer Program Provides education, free screening, and treatment services for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer to county residents meeting eligibility requirements, in collaboration with local physicians. 2,660 Cecil County residents participated in cancer educational activities 35 community volunteers trained to provide one-to-one education outreach 51 colorectal cancer screenings provided 61 new clients received initial screenings for breast and cervical cancer 213 additional mammogram screenings completed Health Services for Women and Children Provides nutritional assistance, nursing services, and selected clinical services. 1,215 Healthy Start case management contacts for 457 pregnant women and new mothers 1,945 families per month served by the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program 67 children received specialized case management in the Infants & Toddlers and Children with Special Health Care Needs programs Family Planning Services Provides family planning education and care. 2,144 clients received clinical services

6 Major Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2006 Drug Court - In coordination with Circuit Court and other community stakeholders, an Adult Treatment Drug Court was established this year. Drug Courts have been proven to reduce re-arrest rates by helping substance-dependent criminal offenders to establish healthier lifestyles, through increased intensity of treatment, closer supervision and reporting to courts. Subdivision and Development Review - Growth and development pressures in Cecil County are causing an increase in the number of plans for proposed developments which must be reviewed. The Environmental Health Division reviews proposals for new development and subdivisions for compliance with Maryland Department of the Environment requirements governing water supply and sewage disposal. The Health Department s review is coordinated with that of other County and State agencies through monthly meetings of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Planning Commission; plans are reviewed at the concept, preliminary and final stages. For this fiscal year a total of 119 development reviews were conducted for the TAC meetings and 159 reviews for the Planning Commission meetings. Pandemic Influenza Summit - A Pandemic Influenza Summit was held to coordinate community pandemic influenza planning efforts. Over forty representatives from various Cecil County agencies, community organizations, and businesses attended the Summit to learn about pandemic influenza and to begin a joint-planning coalition. Influenza Vaccinations - Despite uncertainty surrounding vaccine availability and delivery schedules, Health Department staff administered flu shots by appointment and on a walk-in basis to 4,362 people. Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Support Activities: Friendship Club - The Developmental Disabilities Program sponsored the formation of the Friendship Club for program clients. The Club s purpose is to provide individuals with developmental disabilities with much needed opportunities to meet with others in a social setting, form friendships, and enjoy leisure activities. Parent Workshops - The Mental Health Core Services Agency collaborated with the Department of Social Services to arrange a workshop conducted by Parents Place of Maryland. Thirty community agency staff and parents attended sessions covering: a) Effective Advocacy, b) Finding Resources, c) Special Education and d) Getting Needed Services. Wreath Laying Tribute - A Wreath Laying Tribute was held on April 6, 2006 to honor loved ones who lost their lives on Cecil County roadways due to motor vehicle accidents and to recognize their families. During the months of April and May, many young drivers need to make good decisions to drive safely during the prom season. Through the collaborative efforts of the Accidents Task Force and community partners, the wreath laying event brought awareness to this cause. ImmuNet - The Health Department and private medical offices in Cecil County began using ImmuNet, the State of Maryland s new State Immunization Registry. Four medical offices in Cecil County are currently participating. When a child receives an immunization from a participating physician, the immunization record is entered into ImmuNet. If the child changes physicians or moves, even to another county in Maryland, the new physician will be able to get the immunization record from ImmuNet if his/her office participates. 19,637 Cecil County immunization records have been entered into the ImmuNet system. Cecil County Health Department John M. Byers Health Center 401 Bow Street Elkton, Maryland Fax cchd@dhmh.state.md.us