Coalition Information Form

COALITION INFORMATION FORM

This form is used to collect information on community health activities in East Texas. By using this form, community health coalitions can provide information on activities which may be posted on the East Texas Community Health Needs Assessment Initiative website (www.dshs.state.tx.us/easttexas). To submit information on your coalition’s activities, please complete this form and email it to Martha Light ([email protected]) at the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Name of County: Polk County Name of Coalition: Polk County Health Advisory

Name of Person Completing Form: LaJuan Scott

Phone: 903-533-5211 Email: [email protected] Date: 5-27-10

Priorities (For example, one or two issues the coalition is focusing on)

See meeting notes below.

Meetings (For example, summary information from the most recent coalition meeting)

Initial meeting was held May 27, 2010 hosted by the Timberwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the purpose of exploring opportunities for improving health outcomes for people in Polk County. The coalition reviewed and discussed a variety of health-status indicators specific to Polk County.

Based on discussions from the meeting, the coalition identified the following areas as potential targets for focusing our attention, planning and efforts:

 High mortality rates due to motor vehicle accidents (I will research further to obtain more detailed information related to this topic prior to next meeting)  Immunizations for seniors and children (bacterial pneumonia, risk for smokers and at-risk populations, high rate of varicella in 2008)  Dementia  need for educating the community regarding the signs of dementia versus normal aging, as well as, resources that are available  Stacy Snell noted that the Alzheimer's Memory Walk is scheduled for October 2nd.  Ana Guerroro shared that the Alzheimer's Association is currently conducting a pilot project for intervention and is also rolling out a program related to driving.  Conducting health outreach/health fair to people living in the Indian Springs Community  Obesity prevention and physical activity promotion  Substance Abuse  Alicia Williams and Jessica League provided information regarding poison control and safe medication initiatives currently underway by Brookshire Brothers targeting seniors and youth  Expanding Prescription Assistance Programs  Finding answers to questions regarding the impact that Health Care Reform will have in Polk County

Calendar (For example, dates, times and locations of the coalition meetings)

To be determined.

Coalition Information Form (12/17/08) News (For example, news the coalition would like to share)

Alzheimer’s Memory Walk is scheduled for October 2nd.

Contact(s) (For example, name, phone/email of individual who can provide coalition information)

LaJuan Scott, Regional Public Health Improvement Coordinator 903-533-5211 [email protected]

Links (For example, names and website addresses of organizations participating in the coalition)

If you have questions about this form, please contact Martha Light at (903)533-5275.

Coalition Information Form (12/17/08)