Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health January 8, 2015 Present Absent Excused Dr. Drachler Ms. Jones Thorne Dr. Prince Mr. Abbasi Mr. Nidetz Ms. Urbanus Mr. Pandya Ms. Nickisch Duggan Dr. Sood Dr. Williams Ms. Varma Dr. Gaynes Ms. Langguth Dr. Luka Dr. Polin Dr. Topouzian Dr. Usman Dr. Catherine Counard, Director of Health Mr. Bruce Jones, Staff Ms. Susan Reisberg, Staff NOTE: A large blizzard prevented many members of the committee from making it to the meeting. Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Dr. Drachler, Chairman Dr. Drachler welcomed and thanked the three potential new Board members: Dr. William Werner, Dr. Swapna Dave and Dr. Michael Vernon for attending Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as corrected. Presentation – Muhammad W. Paracha, MD, MPH Clinic Director Asian Human Services Family Health Center (AHSFHC). Dr. Paracha gave a detailed presentation about the AHSFHC (a copy of the PowerPoint presentation is attached) AHSFHC History: • In 2001 AHSFHC was incorporated as a not for profit 501 (c) 3 • AHSFHC started providing services from February of 2002 • AHSFHC received FQHC status in the fall of 2003 • Started providing services in a rental facility at 2820 W. Peterson from March 1, 2004 • Moved to 2424 W. Peterson building on September 29, 2008 • In 2011 started the first oral health program i.e. the Little Kids, Big Smiles Dental Clinic • In 2013 expanded services at a new location at 2501 W. Peterson Ave AHSFHC Staff: 40 plus staff – speak 16 different languages on-site and have access to 25 languages through AHS.  Family Physicians  Obstetrics & Gynecology  Pediatrician  Dentists  Nutritionist  Affordable Care Act (ACA) Navigators  Psychiatrist #465917 AHSFHC Services include: • Health care o Family Health Center o Mental Health Program o Community Health Program • Employment o Employment Center • Education o Passages Charter School o LEAF Program AHSFHC population served: Community Area Population Asian West Ridge 71,942 22% Uptown 56,363 11% Lincoln Square 39,493 11% Edgewater 56,521 12% Rogers Park 54,991 6% Albany Park 51,542 14% Total in Six Community 330,852 13% (Average) Areas Skokie 64,784 25.5% Most commonly asked questions are “Is Asian Human Services only for Asians?” – No everyone is welcome. And, “Do AHS services cost money?” AHSFHC provided primary care and oral health services on a sliding fee scale. They accept Medicaid and Medicare and all the enabling services are free in addition to free cancer screenings and ACA enrollments. #465917 Dr. Drachler asked if AHS provided Mental Health Services? Yes, Dr. Paracha replied, they provide Mental Health Services in the form of counselors and a licensed Psychiatrist to help their client base. Dr. Drachler asked how the Skokie clinic has been received by the community. Dr. Paracha said that right now the clinic is still very new and seems to be getting most of their clients by “word of mouth”, but they also have an outreach manager who is working on getting the message out to various communities. Dr. Drachler asked who AHSFHC uses for various referral services including births. Dr. Paracha responded that they mainly refer to Swedish Covenant along with St. Josephs, and NorthShore Hospitals. Dr. Drachler thanked Dr. Paracha and his guests for presenting to the BOH and said we look forward to them coming back with any updates in the future and working with them on other endeavors. Dr. Williams is volunteering at the AHSFHC Peterson location with students from the Midwestern University Dental School where he is on faculty. He said it was a pleasure to work with AHSFHC on dental issues within the community and hoped they would be able to expand these services in Skokie. Chair’s Report Dr. Drachler said he will share shared several articles with the Board on Smoking, Sugar and Water consumption and how it’s affecting our health during the Community Health Plan Initiatives Updates. Personal Statements Dr. Drachler explained to the potential new Board members how the members will give a brief personal and professional background overview to the Board to make everyone more acquainted with each other. Director’s Monthly Report Dr. Counard presented the December monthly report (attached). The highlights included: • Ebola exercise After months of preparation, the Skokie Fire, Health and Police Departments collaborated to conduct a successful test of our ability to safely transport a person potentially ill with Ebola to Skokie Hospital. • Proposal to modify Village tobacco ordinances Work is underway to modify Skokie ordinance language to treat electronic cigarettes as tobacco products, and to increase the legal age to sell or purchase tobacco to 21 years. These important measures recommended by the Board of Health, will help prevent youth from using tobacco. • Excavation completed at former Manufactured Gas Plant location Two years after beginning the excavation of the former manufactured gas plant site, that portion of the 18 acre clean-up project is complete. The site will now be restored, and leased to the Skokie Park District for recreational purposes, with a target for completion in 2017. • Continued preparations for Jan. 24 South Asian Health Town Hall Meeting The plans for the January 24 Town Hall meeting focused on South Asian Health are nearing completion. The event was advertised locally in the Jan/Feb edition of NewSkokie, Desi Talk newspaper and through flyers distributed around Skokie. #465917  Dr. Drachler asked where the affected Ebola patients are coming from. Dr. Counard explained they are coming in from the affected countries and are mainly returning volunteers or returning resident that have visited the areas. Dr. Williams mentioned that he had participated in an Ebola decontamination exercise in October during cold inclement weather and this was a major issue that needs to be looked at closely. Dr. Counard said that they are hoping cases would be directly transported to the primary location Evanston Hospital which has an indoor ambulance bay which could allow for indoor decontamination of equipment and personnel. Community Health Plan Initiatives Updates • Tobacco Use Prevention – Dr. Drachler distributed an article from the New England Journal of Medicine on Tobacco and the use of cytisine in tobacco cessation which almost doubles the chance of quitting at 6 months. States smoking is still the #1 preventable cause of death in the United States and the world. Dr. Counard & Dr. Drachler will continue to move forward on strengthening Village code to regulate the use of e-cigarettes and increasing the age to purchase or sell tobacco to 21 years. • Obesity Prevention –Dr. Drachler distributed an article on Body Mass Index (BMI) and obesity linking overweight pregnant moms to lower IQ in their children. Dr. Counard mentioned that we are collecting all the BMI data from the Skokie School districts in order to obtain a baseline for Skokie. Dr. Counard mentioned that Dr. Leslie Cordes, a pediatrician from Lurie Children’s Hospital who is getting a Master of Public Health, will assist with developing a comprehensive plan to address childhood obesity in Skokie. NorthShore Skokie Hospital is considering a “Rethink Your Drink” program that involves the IPLAN committee, Board of Health, Skokie Schools, Skokie Park District and Skokie Library. The IPLAN sub-committee on this issue are meeting next week 1/13/15 at 3:00 p.m. at Village Hall. • Healthy Environment – Dr. Drachler mentioned a January 4th Chicago Tribune article “Across the seas for water’s sake” that speaks to the issue of water use and the need for conservation. Water scarcity will be the next issue shaping geo-politics and will be the next commodity to have this kind of clout. Article shows the areas within the world with water shortages and the need for conservation efforts. • Access to Healthcare – Still being addressed aggressively with the two new community clinics - Erie Evanston/Skokie Family Health Center & AHSFHC. There is the upcoming South Asian community forum/town hall style meeting on January 24, 2015 to look at health disparities in this group. Dr. Counard mentioned that Dr. Sood has shared more than 75 flyers! #465917 Old Business None New Business Ms. Jessica Jones Thorne asked about the possibility of the Board of Health (BOH) promoting or sponsoring some sort of walking program or activity programs. There are other towns/communities that have programs that we could look at to get templates that Skokie could use. Dr. Williams mentioned there are National resources under healthy communities that address walking and bicycle programs Dr. Drachler thanked everyone who came out tonight during the heavy snow to attend the meeting. Dr. Drachler stated that Dr. Williams will chair the February meeting, as he will be in Australia and New Zealand for two weeks! The Next Meeting is Thursday, February 12, 2015 with Terry Mason, M.D. Chief Operating Office, Cook County Department of Public Health as our guest speaker. Dr. Counard passed out a flyer about an exhibit at the Skokie Holocaust Museum entitled “RACE: Are We So Different?”, and encouraged everyone to attend the event. This is the first national exhibition to tell the stories of race from the biological, cultural, and historical points of view. Combining these perspectives offers an unprecedented look at race and racism in the United States. Dr. Williams mentioned an online Department of Human Services training program (with 6 CEU’s) called “Think Cultural Health” that would be good for all BOH members to review. He will send the link to each BOH member. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:42 p.m. #465917