Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health September 10th, 2015 Present Excused Absent Mr. Abbasi Dr. Prince Dr. Sood Ms. Nikitsch Dugan Dr. Dave Ms. Jones Thorne Dr. Topouzian Dr. Drachler Ms. Urbanus Dr. Gaynes Dr. Usman Ms. Langguth Ms. Varma Dr. Luka Dr. Vernon Mr. Nidetz Dr. Werner Mr. Pandya Dr. Williams Dr. Polin Dr. Counard, Director of Health Bruce A. Jones, Staff 1. Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m. by Dr. Drachler, Chairman. 2. Approval of Minutes –The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. 3. Dr. Catherine Counard, Director of Health: Skokie Community 2012 Health Plan update and proposal for completing IPLAN 2017 Dr. Counard reviewed the tremendous progress we have made towards completing the goals of the Skokie Community 2012 Health Plan. Please refer to the accompanying presentation for all of the details. A few highlights: a. Access to Health Care: Two new clinics (federally qualified health centers) and two school-based health centers serving people without healthcare insurance. b. Obesity Prevention: Primary accomplishment has been completion of the childhood obesity study utilizing school physical forms. Also very important are the new Women Only exercise class through the Skokie Park District and completion of multiple bicycle paths or routes in the Village. c. Tobacco Use Prevention: E-cigarette legislation and smoke-free campuses at the Skokie Public Library, Oakton Community Center and all Skokie Parks. d. A Healthy Environment: Environmental Sustainability Plan well underway. 4. IPLAN 2017 Next Steps and Timeline Will focus on childhood obesity, health disparities (South Asian, Filipino and Assyrian residents) and one or two additional community health priorities. Timeline for Completing Skokie IPLAN 2017 • Finalize Community Survey Tool (November 2015 – February 2016) • Complete Assessments (February 2016 – December 2016) o Health Department Strengths/Weaknesses o Community Health Needs o Public Health Data • Identify Priority Health Issues (Jan – Mar 2017) o Determine priority health issues o Discuss consequences of not addressing issues that are not selected • Implementation and Evaluation (April -June 2017) o Develop measurable objectives, action plans and evaluation plans • IPLAN Submission (July – August 2017) Discussion during Dr. Counard’s presentation: Dr. Williams commented that he is on the Board for Asian Human Services Family Health Center. He arranged for dental students from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine to assist with providing basic dental care at the Peterson Asian Human Services location. Dr. Williams added that Asian Human Services is opening an office in Niles and expanding the Skokie location. Mr. Pandya asked about the fee patients without healthcare insurance pay to receive care at either Erie Family Health Center or Asian Human Services Family Health Center. Dr. Williams and Dr. Counard responded that each of the centers offer services on a sliding scale but no one is refused treatment if they cannot pay. Dr. Counard suggested that she request having a Navigator from either Erie or Asian Human Services speak to the Board about how they help people select insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. Dr. Drachler asked if Dr. Williams is seeing poor dentition in the younger population at Asian Human Services. Dr. Williams stated that it’s critical to see the child before the first tooth comes in to educate the parents on dental care. He also spoke about the foreign-born population coming into the country with very poor dental conditions. Dr. Drachler asked about access to mental health services. Dr. Counard replied that she was recently at a meeting where Ann Raney spoke. Ms. Raney is the Chief Executive Officer of Turning Point Behavioral Health Center, and she stated that they are seeking ways to collaborate with both Erie and Asian Human Services. Federally Qualified Health Centers receive a better reimbursement rate for mental health services, which could allow for more services being offered. Dr. Counard said she could have a Turning Point representative come and speak with the Board again, if that was desired. Ms. Urbanus commented that there should be a designated breastfeeding area in every Village owned building. Dr. Drachler said this should include the Skokie Public Library and could be expanded to businesses in the Village. Dr. Counard said she would take the suggestion to the Village Manager’s Office for consideration. Ms. Urbanus added that there should be baby changing tables available in bathrooms at Village Hall.  Dr. Drachler wanted to commend the Skokie Health Department on getting the various school districts to collaborate on the obesity program. Dr. Vernon commented that his family is happily using the new Main Street bike lanes and he noted a dramatic increase in bike travel activity on these new bike lanes. Dr. Prince asked where the green alleys are located in Skokie. Dr. Counard said there are 4 alleys, but as funds are obtained more will be installed and we can get the locations from Public Works. Dr. Drachler mentioned that two of the articles he distributed addresses water treatment upgrades at several plants and water quality issues when the sewers are overwhelmed and the locks are opened and releases sewage into the waterways. Dr. Drachler spoke again about promoting commercial recycling. Dr. Drachler commented that he was made aware that Kaufman’s Deli does not recycle. Dr. Williams wondered if businesses are charged for recycling services. Mr. Jones explained that businesses can request one 95 gallon recycling cart once per week free of charge; a larger cart or more frequent recycling services would have a cost, but that could result in their garbage collection cost being reduced if recyclables are ending up in the trash. Dr. Counard suggested having Adam Letendre from Public Works speak to the Board of Health about recycling. Dr. Prince asked about prohibiting plastic bag use. Dr. Counard said that could be one item for consideration and that Evanston and Chicago have enacted such laws but some stores are now making heavier bags to get around the law. Dr. Drachler then asked what people use for dog waste pick up. Mr. Jones explained that there are biodegradable dog waste bags. Dr. Polin mentioned that Denver Colorado collects dog DNA data so when feces are found the owner could be fined. A lively discussion ensued about the topic. Ms. Jones Thorne asked if there were any services offered at Turning Point to address mental health issues such as eating disorders and obesity. Dr. Drachler said there is a relationship between the two and it should be an issue we look at more closely. Dr. Counard added that the Health Department is exploring establishing a children’s pediatric weight management program in collaboration with NorthShore University HealthSystem. Grant funding will need to be sought for this program. 5. Chair’s Report Dr. Drachler appreciated the Board member’s attendance at the August dinner at the Talking Farm and Village Hall. He commented on what a great event it was and that the appetizers and meal provided was very nice. Also the Talking Farm gave a nice goodie bag of items. Dr. Drachler wanted to acknowledge and thank NorthShore University HealthSystem for their support towards meeting the Skokie Community 2012 Health Plan goal to improve “Access to Health Care”. At the beginning of the meeting Dr. Drachler provided a packet containing numerous articles on various topics (Nicotine replacement, Water treatment & Water quality, Sugary Drinks and Adult Diseases). Copies of each are attached. 6. Personal Statements None 7. Director’s August Monthly Report highlights – a copy is attached • Skokie resident hospitalized with West Nile Virus A 50 year old female Skokie resident was hospitalized for five days with West Nile Virus infection. The resident had contracted the virus in the area – near either home (Skokie) or work (Evanston). Because this was the first case in the Chicago area for 2015, there was substantial media attention aimed at reminding people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. • Skokie infant hospitalized with Whooping Cough (Pertussis) A two month old Skokie resident was hospitalized for four days with whooping cough (pertussis). The infant was too young to have been vaccinated and is believed to have been infected by a 14 year old sibling. The older sibling had not yet received the pertussis booster vaccine dose. This case highlights the importance of ensuring that all family members and care givers of infants are vaccinated against pertussis. The infant is home and has fully recovered • Received $10,000 from the state for Ebola preparations The Department received $10,000 from the state to help defray the cost of preparing for a potential case of Ebola infection. We are hoping to receive an additional $7,000. The estimated cost, primarily in staff time, for the Village to prepare was $40,000. At the time we were preparing there was no anticipation of receiving reimbursement for those efforts, so this is certainly a welcome circumstance • Continued summer meetings with Superintendents – Districts 69, 72, 73, 73½, and 219 Ms. Susan Reisberg, Mr. David Clough, and I continued our meetings with the superintendents of all Skokie public school districts. The three topics for these meetings are increasing student influenza vaccination rates, preventing tobacco use and addressing childhood obesity. We have been well received by all of the Superintendents Discussion Ms. Urbanus asked if the Health Department offers Pertussis vaccinations for adults. Dr. Counard replied that the department does offer this and other adult vaccines to Skokie residents at the cost of the vaccine. Mr. Pandya asked if the Health Department provides Yellow Fever vaccine. Dr. Counard said that people seeking the Yellow Fever vaccine are referred to area travel clinics. Dr. Drachler commented that NorthShore offers Tdap vaccine to pregnant women. 8. Community Health Plan Initiatives Updates This was covered during Dr. Counard’s presentation. 9. Old Business None 10. New Business Dr. Counard mentioned two other handouts pertaining to our upcoming “Courage to Quit” classes and the community flu shot clinic scheduled for October. She thanked Mr. Milt Nidetz and Ms. Margaret Langguth for offering to volunteer during the flu shot clinics this year. Dr. Werner spoke about the Illinois State budget crisis and the need for the Board members to reach out and contact or send letters to our State Representatives on the need to fund the local departments. Dr. Counard explained that many Health Departments throughout Illinois have provided a breakdown of what services will need to be eliminated by specific dates if state funding does not resume. Dr. Drachler reminded the Board that the next meeting is Thursday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. here in Village Hall. He is pleased that our speaker will be Mr. Michael Fiore, Director of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety/Sustainability at NorthShore University HealthSystem. Mr. Fiore will be speaking about the NorthShore “Green Team” 11. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.