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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing April 1-7, 2024, as National Public Health Week in Solano County (Supervisor Vasquez)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services recommends the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing April 1-7, 2024, as National Public Health Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
Over the past 29 years, the first week of April has been designated as National Public Health Week (NPHW) by the American Public Health Association (APHA). NPHW brings together communities across the United States to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight health-related issues that are important to improving the health of the nation. This year, the NPHW theme is “Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” When individuals, families, communities, and public health professionals come together, we can all achieve the goal of public health, which is to promote and protect the health of all people and their communities. Health and Social Services (H&SS) will host various activities throughout the month of April to focus on the NPHW theme and the services provided by Solano Public Health.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with NPHW activities are included in the Department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget. There is no impact on the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
According to the APHA, the United States (U.S.) spends more on healthcare than other comparable countries, yet numerous studies indicate that people living in the U.S. live shorter lives and struggle with more health issues such as obesity, infant mortality, diabetes, heart disease, and other serious conditions than those living in comparable countries. In the U.S., there are disparities in health county to county, state to state, and by race and ethnic groups,. The APHA believes this to be the defining challenge of the nation, one that public health communities are uniquely positioned to address.
In recognition of National Public Health Week and promoting the theme of “Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving: We Are All Public Health,” Solano Public Health is highlighting the work of the various programs within Public Health and will host virtual and in-person events throughout April.
Public Health Laboratory
The Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin-Mendocino County Public Health Laboratory is a regional laboratory that protects local communities against communicable diseases by providing diagnostic and reference laboratory services to healthcare professionals, clinics, hospitals, and law enforcement. The Public Health Laboratory tests for emerging bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and bioterrorism threat organisms. In FY2022/23, the Public Health Laboratory tested 16,694 specimens.
Family Health Services’ Mobile Food Pharmacy
The Family Health Services (FHS) Mobile Food Pharmacy’s (MFP) goal is to improve the health outcomes of FHS clients by promoting healthy eating and addressing food insecurity. FHS clients are prescribed a box of healthy shelf-stable food and fresh produce during their regular appointments to redeem at the MFP, which regularly visits all three clinic sites in Fairfield, Vacaville, and Vallejo. Since the launch of the program in November 2018, the MFP has distributed more than 15,400 food boxes and more than 1,140 tons of fresh produce.
Solano Public Health Immunization Program
Solano Public Health’s Immunization Program has been instrumental in protecting the health and safety of Solano County residents through frequent community vaccination clinics throughout the year. Many of these vaccination clinics were supported by local community partners, including Touro University of California. In FY2022/23, the Immunization Program hosted 496 vaccine clinic events throughout Solano County in locations such as the Solano Town Center Mall, senior centers, schools, libraries, churches, long-term care facilities, in-home for homebound clients, and community outreach events. Vaccines provided included COVID-19, Influenza, Mpox (Monkeypox), and Tdap (provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough).
Solano Public Health Awarded National Accreditation
In March 2023, Solano Public Health was awarded national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board. An essential component of accreditation is the Solano County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which was presented to the Healthy Solano Collaborative in February 2023. The CHIP is a data-driven plan with built-in accountability, including realistic, impactful strategies to advance health equity and improve the health of our community. The 2023 CHIP focuses on four strategic issues, which include Behavioral Health, ensuring all Solano County residents feel safe, supported, and well in their communities; Access to Care, eliminating inequities in access to preventive services and healthcare across Solano County; Maternal and Infant Health, improving the well-being of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) women, infants, children and families; and Housing Stability, ensuring all Solano County residents have access to safe, stable and affordable housing. Four local organizations were selected to implement the plan, including CommuniCare+OLE, Sustainable Solano, Lighthouse Covenant Fellowship, and Innovative Health Solutions.
EPIC (Emergency Medical Services, Preparedness, Immunization and Communicable Diseases)
EPIC provides timely detection, prevention, and control efforts for all reportable infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, vaccine-preventable diseases, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In 2023, the Don’t Think Know, or DTK Program, was launched to provide free STD testing resources to Solano County residents. DTK allows Solano County residents to test from the comfort of their homes, increasing testing convenience and confidentiality. DTK attended 18 community outreach events within Solano County in 2023 and provided education to more than 900 attendees. Additionally, the HIV testing van administered 50 HIV tests in 2023 during local community events and testing days.
Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Under the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Bureau is the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, which was established for the prevention, education, screening, diagnosis, and case management of lead poisoning in children. The multidisciplinary team works together to provide case management, environmental surveillance, home visiting, education, and outreach for residents of Solano County. Those eligible for the program include children and young adults from birth to age 21 years of age with an elevated lead level test result. Residents can reach out to the Solano County, Resource Management, Environmental Health Division to schedule an assessment of their residence if there is a concern that there may be lead-based paint in their pre-1978 home.
Health Promotion and Community Wellness (VibeSolano), Oral Health Education Program
The Oral Health Education and Prevention Program provides oral health education, fluoride varnish, and the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment to local students in Solano County. Sites include elementary schools and local Head Start locations. In 2023, 1,328 students received dental screenings, 355 received fluoride varnish, 624 Kindergarten Oral Health assessment forms were completed, and 2,712 received an oral health lesson.
Older and Disabled Adult Services, Napa-Solano Area Agency on Aging
The Older and Disabled Adult Services (ODAS) Bureau, Napa-Solano Area Agency on Aging program, in collaboration with the Independent Living Resource Center, launched the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, or ADRC, in Solano County. The ADRC serves older adults and adults with disabilities, and families, friends, and caregivers who work with and care for them. It also provides residents with information about aging or living with a disability. The goal is to help people maintain their independence by connecting them with the right resources to live healthy, happy, independent lives.
Nutrition Services Bureau
The Nutrition Services Bureau’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is vital in providing nutritious foods, nutrition assessments, breastfeeding education, and referrals for program recipients. Program recipients include pregnant women, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding women, formula-fed or breastfed infants, and children. In 2023, WIC enrolled 500 new participants, a six percent enrollment increase. Nearly 21,000 WIC participants were served throughout the year, and according to the California Department of Public Health, an estimated $5.56 million was spent to purchase healthy foods at local food outlets and farmers’ markets.
H&SS will provide outreach to local media outlets to increase awareness of the NPHW theme and events for the month. H&SS employees will receive daily emails with tips and ideas about how every community member can improve their health.
In addition, each year as part of Solano Public Health’s recognition of National Public Health Week, a Solano County public health employee is selected to be an Edward G. Lopez Award recipient. The award, named after a former Solano County health officer of more than 20 years, recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to improving the health and quality of life for people living in Solano County. In 2023, the recipient was Victor Hernandez, a Health Education Specialist with the Nutrition Services Bureau. Victor has been a champion for health and nutrition through his ten years with Solano County.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt this resolution. This is not recommended because this is an opportunity to raise awareness of issues important to improving the public's health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS partners with various community-based organizations to promote National Public Health Week, as well as the First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION