title
Adopt and present a resolution recognizing April 7-13, 2025, as National Public Health Week in Solano County (Supervisor James)
body
Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing April 7-13, 2025, as National Public Health Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week. Over the past 30 years, the first week of April has been designated 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’s theme of “It Starts Here” highlights the importance of making a difference in our communities. When individuals, families, communities, and public health professionals come together, we can all achieve the goal of public health: to promote and protect the health of all people and their communities. The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) will host various activities throughout April to focus on NPHW and the services provided by Solano Public Health.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with NPHW activities are included in the Department's FY2024/25 Working Budget. There is no impact on the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
According to the APHA, the United State (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 from 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 its 30th anniversary, the Solano County Public Health Division is highlighting the work of its various programs within Public Health and will host virtual and in-person events throughout the month of April. H&SS will provide outreach to local media outlets to increase awareness of the NPHW 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.
Solano County’s CalFresh Healthy Living Program
The CalFresh Healthy Living (CFHL) Program is hosting a nutrition education class at Golden Hills Community School on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Additionally, CFHL will conduct outreach at the 35th Rush Ranch Open House on Saturday, April 19, 2025. This free event, hosted by the Solano Land Trust, highlights education, nature, cultural history, community, and partnerships with scenic space.
Solano Car Seat Connection Program
Throughout the month of April, the Solano Car Seat Connection Program will offer self-guided classes on the installation of a car seat in English and Spanish. Upon completion of the course, the client may receive a car seat or assistance with the purchase of one.
Public Health Laboratory
The Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin 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 FY2023/24, the laboratory tested 11,900 human, animal, tick, and environmental 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 16,800 food boxes and more than 1,650 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 FY2023/24, the Immunization Program hosted 88 vaccine clinic events throughout Solano County locations, including senior centers, schools, libraries, churches, and community outreach events. Vaccines provided included COVID-19, influenza, Mpox (Monkeypox), and Tdap (provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough).
Emergency Medical Services, Preparedness, Immunization and Communicable Diseases
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. In 2024, the Communicable Disease Bureau tracked 1,932 cases of chlamydia, 528 cases of gonorrhea, and 313 cases of syphilis.
Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health
In the summer of 2024, the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Bureau, in collaboration with La Clinicá de la Raza, First 5 Solano, Partnership HealthPlan of California, Kaiser Permanente, Solano County Library, Help Me Grow, Touro University and Park-it Market, hosted the Kindergarten Round-Up in Vallejo and the Kindergarten Resource Fair in Fairfield. These events provided more than 170 families with essential services, including development and dental screenings, backpacks, and fresh produce. Additionally, more than 70 families received physicals and vaccinations for their children entering kindergarten, ensuring they were well-prepared for the school year.
Health Promotion and Community Wellness
The Solano Oral Health Education Program provides oral health education, fluoride varnish, and the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) to local students in Solano County. In 2024, 609 students received dental screenings, 305 received fluoride varnish, 295 Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment forms were completed, and 910 received an oral health lesson.
Older and Disabled Adult Services and Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging
In FY2023/24, the Older and Disabled Adult Services, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program assisted 6,099 recipients, and Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging served as estimated 3,600 clients. The IHSS program is designed to support Medi-Cal eligible-aged adults, disabled adults and children, to remain safely in their own homes; and the Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging’s Resource Connection helps older and disabled adults maintain their independence by connecting them with the right resources to live healthy, happy and 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 under the age of five years. In 2024, WIC enrolled 4,205 new participants and, in total, issued benefits 112,674 times to individual clients throughout the year.
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 2024, the recipient was Robin Cox, Senior Health Services Program Manager with the Health Promotion and Community Wellness Bureau. Ms. Cox championed the prevention of chronic diseases and the risk factors for those diseases, including smoking cessation programs, diabetes prevention programs, and healthy store makeovers. She retired with nearly 35 years of dedicated service to Solano County in December 2024.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt and present 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, including the Healthy Solano Collaborative, Human Resources, and the First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION