cecil county health department annual report Healthy People, Healthy Community, Healthy Future

Transcription

1 cecil county health department annual report Healthy People, Healthy Community, Healthy Future FISCAL YEAR 2009 JULY 1, JUNE 30, 2009

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 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 improve the health of Cecil County and its residents. Brian Lockhart, 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 Stephanie Garrity, M.S. 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. 64 animals were tested and 7 specimens tested positive for rabies, including 3 raccoons, 1 cat, 2 skunks, and 1 fox. 35 people received post-exposure vaccine. 3 people received pre-exposure immunizations. Pre-exposure is available year round to those who are at risk. Immunization Program Ensures that children in Cecil County are immunized appropriately. Provides annual influenza immunizations. 4,182 children s immunization records were reviewed with follow-up as needed. 881 child and adult immunizations were given. 622 children identified as having delayed immunizations received immunizations due to outreach efforts. 3,267 flu vaccinations were administered. 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. 499 people received counseling and testing services. Protecting Against Environmental Hazards Safety of Water and Sewerage Systems Reviews plans for construction, tests water quality, and completes soil evaluations and percolation tests to insure proper sewage disposal, in order to prevent disease caused by water contamination. Issued 74 Sanitary Construction Permits for new sewerage systems and reviewed 798 additional Building Permits Issued 115 permits for repair or replacement of sewerage systems 352 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. 580 permits issued to food service facilities 988 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 47 swimming pools and 21 camps inspected Air Quality Investigates complaints and coordinates enforcement in conjunction with Maryland Department of the Environment. 453 burning permits issued Lead Poisoning Prevention Provides community outreach, notice of elevated blood lead levels and case management for children with lead poisoning. 100% of families of children with lead poisoning received case management.

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. Child Fatality Review Board (CFRB) Works with several Cecil County organizations and committees to prevent future child injuries and fatalities. The Cecil County Perinatal/ Child Death Community Action Team (CAT) promotes the importance of placing infants on their backs for sleeping through the Back to Sleep campaign to help prevent the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 200 clients received information on the Back to Sleep campaign. Promoting and Encouraging Healthy Behaviors Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program Provides prevention and cessation education and services. Tobacco prevention education activities were held at 55 preschools, schools, and youth groups, and at Cecil College. 411 county residents received nicotine replacement therapy and 264 participated in stop smoking programs. 55 secondhand smoke programs were presented for 640 individuals. 70 outreach volunteers and Health Department staff educated 606 residents about tobacco cessation services through one-to-one contacts. 158 tobacco merchants were educated on youth access laws and 36 citations for underage possession or sales to minors were issued. 13 community mini-grants were completed, educating 1,021 individuals. 14 sites distributed tobacco use prevention and cessation materials in Spanish to 1,122 individuals. Dental Sealant Program Provides dental education and dental sealants to children in three Cecil County schools. 189 second graders received dental health education. 107 children were screened by a dentist. 73 children received at least one dental sealant application. Just Us! Minority Women Outreach Project Funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Maryland Affiliate. Provides community education for residents in Cecil, Harford and Kent Counties. 825 women were reached through workshops, meetings, and community outreach. Cancer Program Provides education about colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer, in collaboration with local physicians, to county residents. 483 women received breast and cervical cancer education. Additionally, community volunteers and Health Department staff educated 3,351 Cecil County citizens about the importance of cancer screening. 4,208 county residents were educated about the importance of colorectal cancer screening. Responding to Disasters and Assisting Communities in Recovery Emergency Preparedness and Response Works with the Cecil County Department of Emergency Services and other partner agencies to respond to and provide public health services in disasters. The Health Department is available on a 24-hour basis for public health emergencies through the Department of Emergency Services. In collaboration with the Department of Emergency Services, 15 emergency preparedness related workshops were held for community groups. The Get Ready Plan 9 workshop continues to be offered. Two psychological first aid training and disaster planning trainings were held for faith-based organizations and continue to be offered. Health Department staff helped plan and participated in a multi-agency preparedness exercise in conjunction with the Philadelphia Cities Readiness Initiative Metropolitan Statistical Area exercise.

5 Assuring the Quality and Accessibility of Health Services Helping People to Access Community Services: Maryland Children s Health Program (MCHP) Processes applications for medical insurance program for children up to age 19, pregnant women and families. 3,356 applications for children, 321 for pregnant women and 898 for families processed Medical Assistance Transportation Program Provides transportation to nonemergency medical appointments for Medicaid recipients. 13,385 client trips completed Mental Health Core Service Agency (CSA) Provides oversight of the Public Mental Health System, assesses mental health service needs of the community, promotes development and monitors quality of public mental health services, and assures access. 2,135 individuals were served by the fee-for-service public mental health system. 2,619 individuals received additional services from CSA grant programs. Developmental Disabilities Program Provides service coordination and case management to children and adults. 456 individuals were provided on-going case management and 105 new referrals were received. Administrative Care Coordination/Ombudsman Program (ACCU) Assists clients with Medical Assistance in resolving problems in accessing care and educates the community on MCHP and HealthChoice. 792 clients assisted; 35 educational presentations conducted. HIV/AIDS Case Management Program 43 HIV positive persons and their families received case management and advocacy services. Providing Clinical Preventive and Treatment Services: Outpatient Substance Abuse Assessment & Treatment for Adults, Adolescents and Families 1,224 diagnostic assessments. 16,484 group and individual counseling sessions. 72 enrollments in substance abuse programs at Cecil County Detention Center. 132 patients participated in 931 days of residential detoxification through the division s purchase of care program. 206 patients successfully completed outpatient treatment. Cancer Program Provides screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer to county residents meeting eligibility requirements, in collaboration with local physicians. 33 colorectal cancer screenings were completed. 84 new women received breast and cervical cancer screenings. 297 mammogram screenings completed and 47 women received diagnosis and/or treatment services. Just Us! Minority Women Outreach Project Funded by the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Provided education and outreach about breast cancer screening services to 815 eligible women. 59 women received breast cancer screening services, 11 received diagnostic services, and 12 received treatment. Health Services for Women and Children Provides nutritional assistance, nursing, and selected clinical services. 1,017 referrals to Healthy Start Program, resulting in 2,189 contacts to new mothers and children under age 2. 3,888 participants were served by the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program. 83 children received specialized case management and/or advocacy in the Infants & Toddlers or Children with Special Health Care Needs Programs. 1,623 clients received family planning services.

6 Major Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2009 Measuring the County s Health Status - In collaboration with Union Hospital Foundation, the 2009 Community Health Survey was randomly mailed to 11,000 Cecil County households. Over 3,100 surveys have been returned. This information will be used throughout the next five years by the Health Department, the Community Health Advisory Committee, the hospital and others to assist in planning health services for the County. Responding to Novel A H1N1 Swine Flu - In late April 2009, the novel influenza A H1N1 virus (also known as Swine Flu ) first made its appearance in the United States. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and all local health departments were immediately on alert and available to assist and guide the public. The Health Department website provided a quick link to the most recent information available from the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), frequent updates were provided on our flu information line and our Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness teams participated in conference calls, fielded questions and concerns from the public and monitored influenza testing results as they became available. Up-to-date information was also immediately circulated to Cecil County physicians and Union Hospital via our cooperative relationship with the medical staff office at Union. The first positive case of H1N1 flu in Cecil County occurred May 8, H1N1 vaccinations continue to be important and the possibility of the virus returning in full force remains. Working to Save the Chesapeake Bay - The Health Department s Environmental Health Services Division received $650,000 from the State s Bay Restoration Fund to implement an Onsite Sewage Disposal System Upgrade Program in Cecil County. The program pays 100% of the cost for purchase and installation of approved systems to reduce nitrogen discharged from onsite septic systems, with the goal of improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Applications for grants from the Bay Restoration Fund are available from the Health Department, with the first priority being properties in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area with failing systems. Increasing Immunization Rates - The Health Department s Immunization Team has effectively improved immunization in Cecil County for both children and adults. The team has been nominated for and received multiple State and local awards. Cecil County s completion rate for children s immunization by age two has hit an all time high of 84 %, an increase of 11% from just two years ago. Staff also targeted adult immunizations, in particular hepatitis. The Health Department was awarded a Hepatitis Initiative grant which supplied free Hepatitis B vaccine to the at-risk community. Adults seen at the Health Department are encouraged to receive vaccination for hepatitis along with other recommended vaccines. When compared to this time period last year, hepatitis vaccination has increased by 23%. Reinforcing Healthy Messages - Four Cecil County public high schools participated in the Get Dry, Stay Sober, Play Safe activity during graduation. The activity was designed to increase awareness and educate students about the dangers of impaired driving and underage drinking, especially during graduation season. More than 900 students were reminded about Maryland s Zero Tolerance Law - no one under age 21 is to consume alcohol in any form. Eye-opening statistics were shared with the students as well. For example, every 15 minutes someone dies as a result of an alcohol-related collision. Seniors were presented with a Play Safe booklet and beach towel to serve as a reminder to Get Dry, Stay Sober, Play Safe. Planning for Future Addiction Service Needs - The Cecil County Alcohol and Drug Council and staff from the Health Department s Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center completed a survey of local prevention, intervention and treatment resources in Cecil County. Incorporating the survey and input from multiple agencies, a revised plan and priorities were developed for and submitted to the Governor and the Maryland Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council. The plan seeks to reduce substance abuse and dependence and related consequences through development and implementation of an integrated and comprehensive prevention, early-intervention and treatment service system. Educating Future Health Care Providers - The Health Department s Adult Evaluation and Review Services Program (AERS) provides multidisciplinary evaluations for aged and functionally disabled adults at risk of institutionalization. On April 24, 2009, AERS, in cooperation with the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center (AHEC), hosted a day long Geriatric Assessment Interdisciplinary Team (GAIT) Project. This training brought college level medical students (pharmacy, nursing, physician assistants) to Cecil County for activities that included aging simulations, team building activities, and home visits with clients during AERS assessments. Cecil County Health Department John M. Byers Health Center 401 Bow Street Elkton, Maryland Fax cchd@dhmh.state.md.us