Board of Health Meeting

Ingham County Board of Health (BoH) meeting Ingham County Health Department – Conference Room C Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Minutes

In attendance for meeting: Maurice Reizen, George Rowan, Nigel Paneth, Jacqui Day, Molly Polverento, Denae Friedheim, Martha Adams, Mark Kieselach, Nino Rodriguez, Dean Sienko, Renée B. Canady, Rich Estill, Gary Rowe, Geoff Brousseau, Debbie Edokpolo and Wendy Duke-Littlejohn

The meeting was called to order and chaired by Maurice Reizen. A motion was made and supported that the minutes for February meeting be approved with minor spelling correction. Motion passed to accept February minutes with correction.

Additions to agenda – None, however, the order of items has been changed. Public comment – None

Public Health Update – Dean Sienko ICHD Ranking: A national project taken on by RWJF in conjunction with Wisconsin University. The results were posted near the end of February with Ingham County ranking 32 out of 82 counties overall. Washtenaw ranked 1st and Clare County ranked last. There is a summary sheet available should anyone be interested in a copy. He went through some of the criteria used and the results in the sub-categories used. The report will be looked at more closely to determine how to use the data, and it may be reported out to the BOC as well.

H1N1 Community Clinics: The numbers of incidents are down with H1N1 being prevalent during the seasonal flu season. It is estimated that about half the population is protected from the disease by means of having had it, some natural immunity and those who have been immunized against it. ICHD is now in the community with small clinics providing the H1N1 vaccinations, with 150 given at Cristo Rey on Feb 28th. ICHD is partnering with community organizations to recruit and inform their communities about H1N1 and that clinics will be set up in their communities to provide the vaccine. These clinics are also providing other public health interventions that are critical to the community.

ICHD/BoH Website Discussion – Rich Estill (ICHD Systems Analyst) This has been an ongoing discussion over the last few months. There is concern that people looking for information on the BoH are not able to find it. Rich explained that by adding more content to the website it will increase the Google ranking making the site more accessible to those looking for it. Internet searches are currently run through a couple of search engines with Google getting about 48% and Yahoo and Bing another 10% of traffic.

Another option to boost visibility is to purchase a domain name that would lead directly to the webpage. However, adding content (if this is the choice for increased visibility), will be a large responsibility that will require a responsible person. Items that should be included on the web page should be member information and contact information, minutes, outcomes/accomplishments, research, survey info, etc. Nancy would act as editor in chief, by acclamation, to provide/approve additional content out of the ordinary day to day operations.

Other Items for Discussion

Deb Brinson was selected as the new Deputy Health Officer of the Community Health Centers for ICHD.

Additional ARRA Money – there is a plan to look at multi unit dwellings and the issue of them being smoke-free.

Molly Polverento shared a flyer regarding Public Health week 2010 in April and the April 14th celebration at the Capital.

Nino Rodriguez had a question as to who the current County Commissioner is assigned to Public Health replacing Todd Tennis. It is Brian McGrain. He also shared copies of Adelante magazine which features an article about the BoH.

Invite Beth Spyke to next meeting to discuss Fit Kids program.

A small grant was applied for Minority Men’s Health; Renée Canady will update a next meeting. Renee reported that ICHD’s focus over the next couple of years will also include other populations (seniors and family/fathers) other than mothers/women of child bearing age and infants.

Maurice Reizen wanted to know if the BoH has taken any positions and submitted them as a group to the BOC, MDCH, etc. on any topics. And he is requesting that members take some time to consider this and have a response for the next meeting.

It was moved and supported that the meeting be officially adjourned.

Next Board of Health Meeting – 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 in Conference Room C of the Ingham County Health Department. Lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m.