Cecil County Community

<h2>CECIL COUNTY COMMUNITY

HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE</h2>

<h3>MEETING MINUTES June 16, 2005</h3>

In Attendance: Dr. Ginny Bailey- Co-chair, Tom Sweeney – Co-chair, Ann Bell, John Bennett, Earl Bradford, Tina Creighton, Carolyn Farkas, Dr. Henry Farkas, Stephanie Garrity, Nancy Hardy, Carol King, Emily Jensen, Patricia Johnson, Melissa Milner, Jennifer Padgett, Karen Purnell, Mary Ellen Rapposelli, Joan Renner, Jeff Ronald, Doug Sommers, Sue Strobel, Dr. Cydney Teal, Karen Winkowski, Angela Young, and Dr. James Ziccardi.

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Dr. Bailey welcomed the Committee and introductions were made. Dr. Bailey welcomed the newest member of the Committee, Ann Bell, who is the new epidemiologist for the Health Department.

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All Task Force reports and handouts are attached to these minutes.

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Topic: Community Health Survey 2004 - Update</p

Discussion: A draft of the survey report was distributed. The hope is to present the report to the Board of Health on July 19, 2005 at 2 pm. We also hope to do a glossy brochure as was done with the 1999 survey results. Stephanie Garrity reviewed the data comparisons. It was questioned why Table 1 was not compared to 1999. Some questions were raised in reviewing the data. The following are some of the questions with answers provided by Ann Bell:

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1. Did persons rate their health status worse in 2004 than in 1999 due to an increase in age?

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As Dr. Bailey mentioned, because the results of the survey were age-adjusted, age would not influence the ranking of health status. Based on 2000 Census data and population projections, the aging of Cecil County between 2000 & 2005 was relatively stable across age groups, with the eldest ages, 65+, not significantly different from other age groups. Percentage of increase in Cecil Co. population by age group between 2000 and 2005(Projected):

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<ul<li>Age 0-4: 7.5%

<li>Age 5-19: 9.7%

<li>Age 20-44: 5.6%

<li>Age 45-64: 23.2%

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Therefore, because the data were age-adjusted and the aging of the Cecil County population was relatively uniform, age was probably not a factor in the change in health status responses.

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2. How does the Cecil County 2004 flu vaccination % compare to the national average of flu vaccinations for persons 65+?

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Percentage of persons 65+ received flu vaccination: </p

<ul<li> 2003: 65.5% (NHIS)

<li>2004: 62.7% (BRFSS)

<li>Cecil Co. 2004 survey: 79.3%</ul>

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Cecil County is well above the national average of persons 65+ who receive the flu vaccine.

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3. Figure 12, page 28: What should we do with this figure? Is there any way to determine out of those who sought mental health services how many were not able to receive them?

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To answer that question, we need to know the total number of persons who sought mental health services, including those who did receive them. Unfortunately, the survey only provides us with the total number of those who sought them but didn't receive them, distributed by age. From this information, we cannot derive where the shortage of mental health services are by age; we only know the age distribution of those who didn't receive mental health services which may be for many reasons. Perhaps more young ages were able to find services or perhaps fewer young ages seek services altogether; we do not know.

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Action: Please review the draft report and send any comments/suggestions to Dr. Bailey or Stephanie Garrity by July 5, 2005. If any organization would like to partner with the Health Department with funding for printing the summary brochure, please let Stephanie know.

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Topic: Earl Bradford presented the Accidents Task Force report.

</pDiscussion: The Committee accepted the report.

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Topic: John Bennett presented the Alcohol and Drug Task Force report.

</pDiscussion: This group has been appointed by the County Commissioners as the Cecil County Alcohol and Drug Council. The group will have the same focus and wish to continue participation with this Community Health Advisory Committee. The next meeting will be September 12, 2005 and is open to the public.

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Topic: Dr. Henry Farkas presented the Cancer Task Force report.

</pDiscussion: The Community Health Survey report reinforces that the work this Task Force does has an effect. John Bennett commented that the report should be shown to legislators to show they are getting results for the money being spent and that there is a need for funding on other health issues. The major program change for FY 2006 is that there will be only one outreach mailing in the colorectal cancer program.

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Topic: Stephanie Garrity presented the Lifestyles and Nutrition Task Force report.

</pDiscussion: The Task Force is looking for new members. A correction to the report is that the Cecil County Public School program is for 10th graders. The next Task Force meeting is July 21, 2005 at 4 PM at the Health Department in the auditorium.

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Topic: John Bennett on behalf of Step Mika presented the Tobacco Task Force report.

</pDiscussion: Step has retired, but will try to continue with the Task Force. This group has met or exceeded performance goals, but there is still a lot of work to do. John complimented the Health Promotion staff for all the hard work and keeping track of the paperwork.

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Mary Ellen Rapposelli talked about a site visit held March 10th. Many things commented on are already being done. The major changes for FY 2006 are a decrease in educational supplies for school-based activities and a limited number of vouchers for smoking cessation. The group is looking into getting calendars for stores, because law enforcement says ID’s are being checked but the math to determine age is not being done. The State of Maryland is phasing in putting dates for alcohol and tobacco use on drivers’ licenses.

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</pTopic: Outstanding Community Service Awards in Public Health

</pDiscussion: Step Mika from Cecil County Public Schools and Jane Burton from Union Hospital of Cecil County were recipients of this award this year.

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Topic: Emergency Preparedness Update

</pDiscussion: Stephanie reviewed the slides which are included with the handouts. The Health Department’s role has expanded over the last few years working with other first responders and partner agencies. The Health Department contact for emergency preparedness is Carrie Kilby.

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Other Information:

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Dr. James Ziccardi said the definition of high blood pressure has changed in the last few years. He also talked about patients that are addicted to drugs and smoking and has been told it is easier to quit drugs.

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Emily Jensen reported that Harford Community College trying to become a smoke-free campus.

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Karen Winkowski talked about working with Health Promotion on a lesson plan on tobacco for their clients. She said that clients start thinking and asking questions.

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Karen Purnell said that everyone is on the right track and that we have our work cut out for us.

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Nancy Hardy reported that the Community Needs Assessment done by Cecil Partnerships for Children, Youth and Families and United Way has been completed. The results will be available on the website and a presentation is being made to the County Commissioners June 21st.

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John Bennett reported on a bill in the legislature that failed this past year that would have allowed the Comptroller of Maryland to suspend a license to sell tobacco for businesses who repeatedly sell to minors. He will bring this to our attention again in January.

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Carol King talked about the new food pyramid, which includes food groups and exercise components. The website is

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Joan Renner reported on Cecil Community College having the same problem as Harford Community College with smoking and said she is amazed by the number of health care practitioners who smoke.

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Mary Ellen Rapposelli talked about the Susan Komen grant which has been funded for FY 2006. It provides breast cancer screening mammograms for women under 40 years of age with a family history or with signs and symptoms of breast disease. There will be a speaker in October at Union Hospital. The staff is also working with churches in Cecil and Kent County.

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The next scheduled Cecil County Community Health Advisory Committee meeting will be held on January 19, 2006??? at 4:30 PM in the Health Department Auditorium. Date will be finalized and confirmed later this fall.