CECIL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2004 JULY 1, 2003 - JUNE 30, 2004
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 2004. Working together we will continue to be a healthy county. Nelson K. Bolender, President Message from the Health Officer This Annual Report is designed to give you an understanding of how public health impacts life in Cecil County. All residents are protected by the public health system. Without it, our individual and community health and well-being would be in jeopardy. The mission of the Cecil County Health Department is to improve the health of Cecil County and its residents, in partnership with the community, by providing leadership to find solutions to our health problems through assessment, policy development and assurance of quality health services and education. We need the community, both individuals and organizations, to participate in our programs and our planning to accomplish this. Participation varies from parents ensuring that their children receive all their immunizations, to community members joining task forces addressing specific health problems, to physicians and other health care providers working together in delivering services to the public. The essential functions of Public Health are: 1. Preventing epidemics and the spread of disease 2. Protecting against environmental hazards 3. Preventing injuries 4. Promoting and encouraging healthy behaviors 5. Responding to disasters and assisting in recovery 6. Assuring the quality and accessibility of health services This report identifies specific accomplishments in each of these categories during Fiscal Year 2004. The Cecil County Community Health Advisory Committee has identified five priority health problems for focused efforts during this decade. Community task forces help plan strategies for each of the priority health problems, including: 1. Tobacco Use 2. Cancer 3. Alcohol and Drug Abuse 4. Lifestyles and Nutrition (including Heart Disease and Diabetes) 5. Accidents and Unintentional Injury If you have any questions or comments about our services or would like to participate in one of our task forces, please call us at 410-996-5550. Virginia R. Bailey, M.D., M.P.H.
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 treatment for persons possibly exposed to the disease. 115 animals were tested and 11 specimens tested positive for rabies 14 people received pre-exposure and 27 people received post-exposure vaccine Immunization Program Ensures that children in Cecil County are immunized appropriately and adults are immunized against the flu. 307 children received immunizations 43 children identified as having delayed immunizations were brought up-to-date 4,607 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. 42 educational presentations to community groups Protecting Against Environmental Hazards Safety of Water and Sewerage Systems Reviews plans for construction, tests water quality and does soil evaluations/ percolation tests to insure proper septic/sewage disposal in order to prevent disease caused by water contamination. Issued 412 Sanitary Construction Permits for new sewerage systems Issued 180 permits for repair/replacement sewerage systems 720 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. 705 permits issued to food service facilities 2,565 inspections of food service facilities conducted Recreational Sanitation Tests water quality and inspects public recreational facilities to prevent disease. Seasonal water quality testing at 18 bathing beaches. 49 swimming pools and 28 camps inspected. Air Quality Investigates complaints and coordinates enforcement in conjunction with Maryland Department of Environment. 667 burning permits issued
Preventing Injuries Highway Safety Project Addresses impaired driving, seatbelt usage, aggressive driving, and distracted driving through small grants to local law enforcement agencies for education and enforcement. Injury Prevention Educates families on how to reduce risk of SIDS. 1,095 families with infants and pregnant women received educational materials in collaboration with the Community Action Team Promoting and Encouraging Healthy Behaviors Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program Provides prevention and cessation education and services to the county. Free interactive online cessation services offered through www.quitnet.com Tobacco prevention activities were held in 25 public and 6 private schools, 24 pre-schools and at Cecil Community College With Health Department funding, law enforcement officers provided education to tobacco vendors 374 residents received nicotine patches or participated in smoking cessation groups Dental Sealant Program Provides dental education and dental sealants to children in two schools in Cecil County and two in Harford County. 241 second graders received dental education 202 children were screened by dentist 143 children received at least one dental sealant application Just Us! Minority Women Outreach Project A community conference on minority women and breast cancer, for Cecil, Harford, and Kent counties, was sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for the fourth consecutive year. Volunteer community outreach teams trained for one-to-one education on the importance of breast cancer screening and services available in the community Abstinence Education Provides technical assistance to facilitators to implement abstinence education programs in participating schools. Program focuses on developing decision-making skills to increase self-esteem to reduce the risk of pregnancy and other high risk behaviors. 5 abstinence programs conducted for 66 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 the Local Emergency Planning Committee to respond and provide services in disasters. The Health Department is available on a 24-hour basis for public health emergencies through the Department of Emergency Services. With Cecil County Department of Emergency Services and Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, prepared for chemical, radiological, and bioterrorism emergencies Participated with local and state agencies in the biennial Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station disaster exercise Improved and refined capabilities for responding to outbreaks and other possible bioterrorism threats Provided nursing and environmental health emergency and recovery services in response to Hurricane Isabel Healthy People, Healthy Community, Healthy Future
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. 4,369 applications for children and 392 for pregnant women processed Medical Assistance Transportation Program Provides transportation to non-emergency medical appointments for Medicaid recipients. 9,983 client trips completed Mental Health Core Service Agency Assesses mental health service needs of community, promotes development and monitors quality of public mental health services, and assists in coordination of customer services when needed. 2,187 individuals served in the public mental health system Developmental Disabilities Program Coordinates services and case management for children and adults with developmental disabilities. 254 individuals provided on-going case management and referral Providing Clinical Preventive and Treatment Services: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Services provided to adults and children. 800 evaluations were completed 770 clients attended 7,604 group appointments (742 group counseling sessions) 969 individual counseling sessions provided to 639 clients 52 after-care group meetings provided 154 clients received treatment at the Cecil County Detention Center and the Community Adult Rehabilitation Center (2,744 visits) Colorectal Cancer Program Provides education, free screening, and treatment services for colorectal cancer to county residents meeting eligibility requirements, in collaboration with local physicians. 59 individuals began screening services; 56 colonoscopy screenings completed 34 community volunteers trained to provide one to one education outreach Breast and Cervical Cancer Program Provides education, free screening, diagnosis and treatment services for breast and cervical cancer in collaboration with local physicians to county women age 40 and above who meet eligibility requirements: 66 new women received initial screenings 220 additional mammogram screenings completed 169 women applied for diagnosis and/or treatment services 336 women participated in educational programs Health Services for Women and Children Provides nutritional assistance, nursing services, and selected clinical services. 1,576 Healthy Start case management visits and telephone contacts for pregnant women and children 1,854 families per month (average) were served by the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program Family Planning Services Provides family planning education and care. 1,501 clients received clinical services
Major Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2004 Public Bathing Beach Sampling Program As a further expansion of last year s program which had increased the number of beaches evaluated and sampled, this year beach monitoring was prioritized for potential health risk. Designated high priority beaches were sampled weekly, medium priority biweekly and low priority monthly. Eighteen beaches were sampled on a total of 96 separate occasions. The results of 10 of those sampling events showed bacteria levels exceeding Federal and State standards. Sample results were posted to the Department s website. Purchase of Care Program for Detoxification Services Needs assessment have indicated that detoxification services represented a major gap in the continuum of care for addicted individuals in Cecil County. To supplement existing substance abuse services, the Cecil County Health Department has allocated funds received through the Cigarette Restitution Fund to purchase these services for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. The available funding has been utilized to purchase 367 days detoxification and inpatient services for 65 individuals. Improved Pregnancy Outcome The Community Action Team (CAT), addressing an issue identified by the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Board, coordinated with community volunteers to prepare Back to Sleep campaign packets for pregnant women and families with infants. Each of the 1,095 packets contained a newborn t-shirt and infant sleep safety educational materials, encouraging mothers to put their infants on their back when sleeping. The packets were distributed to the Family Education Center for Head Start families and to the Cecil County Pregnancy Center. Core Service Agency Community Forum A community forum was sponsored and organized by the Core Service Agency to discuss October 1, 2003 changes to the mental health law regarding emergency psychiatric evaluations. The forum was attended by law enforcement agencies, hospital staff, local providers/organizations and family members. On Our Own of Cecil County The mental health peer support group, On Our Own of Cecil County, expanded hours of operation with funding from the Mental Health Core Service Agency. Cecil County Health Department John M. Byers Health Center 401 Bow Street Elkton, Maryland 21921 410-996-5550 Fax 410-996-5179 www.cecilcountyhealth.org email: cchd@dhmh.state.md.us