Waco McLennan County Public Health District Annual Report 2003-04 Keeping the Public Healthy The blazoned truth we hold so dear, To guard is better than to heal, The shield is nobler than the spear. Oliver Wendell Holmes, M.D., 1860 Mission Statement: To mobilize community partnerships to assess, protect and promote healthy living and well being.
Waco-McLennan County Public Health District Board Representatives 2004-05 Michael Nicoletti, Chairperson Dennis Woodard, Vice-Chairperson Wanda Koon, Secretary Dick Fletcher Frank Leos Jamie Herring Larry D. Groth, P. E. Malcolm Duncan, Jr. Maurice Labens Monica Hendrix Mary Jo Crider Jaska Scooter Radcliffe Virginia DuPuy Wanda Koon Yousry Zakhary The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District Board became an Administrative Board on September 20, 2000. The Board is comprised of representatives from McLennan County and the cities of Bellmead, Beverly Hills, Bruceville-Eddy, Crawford, Gholson, Golinda, Hallsburg, Hewitt, Lacy Lakeview, Lorena, Leroy, Mart, McGregor, Moody, Robinson, Waco, West, Woodway, Riesel, and Ross. The Health District Board works to keep the public healthy by providing oversight to ensure effective public health programs for the residents of McLennan County, as authorized by the Local Public Health Reorganization Act, Chapter 121 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. New Health Authority Appointed In December 2003 Dr. A. Scott Lea resigned his post as Local Health Authority to become a faculty member at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Dr. E. Farley Verner assumed the role of Health Authority in January 2004. One of Dr. Verner s first notable duties as Health Authority was to issue a public health alert at a May press conference, due to an alarming increase in syphilis cases in McLennan County. Public Health Preparedness The development and refinement of response plans to address threats to homeland security including the health of the population continues to be a priority for the nation and public health. One of the major focus areas for Waco-McLennan County Public Health District staff during the past several years has been to build capacity to respond to any local public health threat. Numerous community partners have worked to coordinate actions to ensure the local health system can quickly provide an initial response and then obtain assistance from outside sources including the State of Texas and the federal government to continue to meet the community s needs. Plans have been written and exercised during the last year. In July 2004, the Health District participated in a countywide exercise, which involved a simulated smallpox outbreak. The Health District and Waco Independent School District cooperated in opening a vaccination clinic and provide simulated vaccine to volunteers. The exercise provided hands-on training and experience to staff and community volunteers to further prepare for a public health emergency. Health District staff used the experience to evaluate existing response plans and test preparedness efforts.
Public Health s Ten Essential Services Texas is the first state to define what is meant by community-based or population-based health. In 1999, during the 76 th session of the Texas Legislature, Chapter 121, Local Public Health Reorganization Act, of the Health and Safety Code was amended to add a definition of essential public health services. The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District adopted the ten essential public health services and performs activities on a daily basis to address these functions. Here, and on the following pages, the essential services are listed along with 2003-04 highlights of activities. Monitor the Health Status of Individuals in the Community to Identify Community Health Problems The 2003-2004 flu season was unique for several reasons: a newly identified flu strain and an early peak in flu season. The Health District began promoting flu vaccinations as early as October 1, 2003 and staff promptly responded to the guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to combat the aggressive flu season. By late November vaccine was available only for high-risk individuals. Diagnose and Investigate Community Health Problems and Community Health Hazards In 2004, the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District worked to enhance passive disease surveillance in McLennan County. The Health District s Epidemiology division established cooperative relationships with area hospitals to increase the reporting of notifiable conditions. This cooperative effort aided in conducting disease investigations and quickly implementing necessary control measures. Inform, Educate and Empower the Community with Respect to Health Issues The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District Web Site was introduced in January 2004. Citizens from all over McLennan County are able to download birth and death record forms and get current and informative information on the services of the Health District. The Health District promoted health education and awareness of health topics in the form of presentations, health fairs and health promotion campaigns. The Environmental Health Division provided food safety classes to a record number of 5,460 food workers. Press releases on significant public health issues were distributed regularly on influenza vaccinations as well as a public health alert due to the high number of newly identified syphilis cases. Mobilize Community Partnerships in Identifying and Solving Community Health Problems During National Public Health Week, the Health District coordinated and sponsored a panel discussion at Providence Health Center on Eliminating Health Disparities. In April 2004, a panel of doctors, dentists and other health experts addressed concerns of increasing racial and ethnic health disparities in the United States and McLennan County. The event served to focus attention to the growing number of organizations who are finding creative ways to address these issues. The Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Supplemental Program partnered with Head Start to combat anemia and obesity of children under the age of five. Head Start referred parents to the Health District for diagnosed anemia and weight concerns. Parents were made aware of the WIC program and were provided the opportunity to enroll. Special dietary counseling sessions, child nutrition classes and reading initiatives were made available for parents and children.
The Environmental Health Division developed a working relationship with Baylor University s Biology Department to collect mosquitoes for the monitoring of the West Nile Virus. Staff initiated, coordinated and implemented a cooperative agreement with Baylor, which allowed students to utilize the Health District s equipment to enhance their learning experiences. Develop Policies and Plans to Support Individual and Community Efforts to Improve Health The statistics analyzed in the 2001 community assessment were utilized to promote interventions in McLennan County communities that demonstrated a need. When comparing county data and data from individual communities, staff identified which areas would benefit from particular educational promotions. Based on these findings health educators developed educational activities and interventions on diabetes, reducing tobacco use and increasing healthy eating choices. Enforce Laws and Rules that Protect the Public Health and Ensure Safety in Accordance with those Laws and Rules Staff of the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District provided a presentation at the local chapter of the Texas Nurses Association on Bioterrorism. Presenters provided information on the history of bioterrorism agents, briefed nurses on the signs, symptoms and treatment of diseases related to such agents, and made nurses aware of their roles in the event of a bioterrorism attack. The class fulfilled a new state requirement that went into effect January 1, 2004. Link Individuals Who Have a Need for Community and Personal Health Services to Appropriate Community and Private Providers The HIV/AIDS Services program administers federal, state and local funding to help clients stay healthy, maintain their quality of life and minimize further HIV transmission. This was accomplished by linking HIV positive clients to a network of participating healthcare and dental providers, public housing authorities, opticians, nutritional services, medication suppliers and health education services. Ensure a Competent Workforce for the Provision of Essential Public Health Services The Health District increased training of Health District staff, community partners, health care professionals and first responders in 2003-04. One hundred and seventeen training sessions were provided to 2,349 participants by the Public Health Nursing Preparedness Training Division. Research New Insights and Innovative Solutions to Community Health Problems The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District s Worksite Wellness Training Program was named one of eight winners of the First Innovation in Prevention Awards given by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Health and Human Services Secretary, Tommy Thompson, made the announcement at the National Press Club on December 10, 2003. The Health District developed the pilot program to encourage employees to voluntarily make behavior changes to improve their health and productivity. Evaluate the Effectiveness, Accessibility, and Quality of Personal and Population-Based Health Services in a Community In April 2004, in cooperation with the Caring Foundation Care Van, the Health District provided a convenient and effective way for children in the area to receive immunizations at the Fiesta Mart in Waco.
Approved FY 2004-05 Budget Excludes $855,760 to the Heart of Texas Community Health Center, Inc. (Family Practice Center) State Funds $ 2,273,408 44% Funding Member Contributions $ 287,759 5% City of Waco Funds $ 1,318,702 25% Revenue from Fees $ 1,201,721 23% Other Funds County $81,331 Interest on Investments $2,955 Miscellaneous Revenue $14,240 Transfer from Surplus $72,608 Total Other Funds $ 171,134 3% Total Funding $ 5,252,724 100% 44% 5% 25% 3% 23% Community Health Information Disease 2000 2001 2002 2003 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 28 18 24 25 Seropositive * Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome 13 12 20 17 (AIDS) * Hepatitis A 4 37 16 1 Meningitis, Meningococcal 0 2 2 0 Pertussis (Whooping Cough) 0 5 9 0 Salmonellosis (Food- or Waterborne, 16 27 27 24 Children) Shigellosis (Food- or Waterborne, Children) 36 27 38 272 STD: Chlamydia 1,138 881 1,100 1,070 Gonorrhea 639 564 604 437 Syphilis 15 10 11 63 Tuberculosis 9 14 12 10 Varicella (Chickenpox) 12 110 38 95 West Nile Virus NA NA 5 0 Local reporting for many diseases began improving in 2000. In 2001, a Hepatitis A outbreak was associated with a childcare center. Varicella cases also increase in 2001 due to an outbreak associated with a childcare center. In 2002, an increase in Pertussis cases reflects a statewide trend that did not continue into 200, however, Shigellosis cases did increase. * HIV seropositive includes all positive tests. AIDS cases meet the definition for presence of disease. There were 478 instances of reportable disease (not including sexually transmitted diseases) recorded in 2003. Environmental Health: 3,450 food establishment inspections performed in the county 1,265 inspections performed for on-site sewage facilities 5,460 food workers and managers trained Women, Infant, Child (WIC) Nutrition Supplemental Program: 64,152 individuals received WIC benefits Immunizations: 21,615 immunizations were given to clients Dental Clinic: 5,494 clients were provided with low-cost dental service HIV/AIDS: 2,530 clients tested for HIV 4,200 clients received education/counseling for HIV Total Services: 154,204 Total Clients: 97,294
Waco-McLennan County Public Health District 225 West Waco Drive Waco, Texas 76707 (254) 750-5450 2003-04 ANNUAL REPORT