"Friends at the Blackberry Festival"

It was beautiful weather this past week-end and a dozen Friends from Coos County Friends of Public Health helped out in the "pandemic influenza" booth at the Blackberry Festival. Some people were interested in the brochures on the table, but the free cold water that was offered was more in demand than pamphlets. Many were grateful for the water and donated to the Coins for Coos Kids Campaign. Altogether, $160 was collected at the booth to help support WIC and immunizations for kids. It was a fun time seeing lots of people (and many dogs!). Thanks to Donna and Chris Flammang, Molly Ford, Dale Helland, Dale Schlack, Sylvia Mangan, Carolyn Jacobson, Josephine Morrison, Kathy Hornstuen, and Monica Schreiber for taking turns in the booth, and also to Joe Smith and Michelle Wyatt for set up. We look forward to more events in the future, where we can share information about public health topics. Frances Smith

Clear Air at the Fair, by Frances Smith

When I was at the Coos County Fair last month, I saw fewer people smoking than in the past. There were colorful signs posted throughout the fair grounds that had pictures of kids and messages such as "We Care About Our Kids ... Thank You For Not Smoking." There were also ads for the Oregon Quit Line. The posters were supplied by the Health Department's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, which is funded by the tobacco tax (Measures 44 & 20). Some fairs in other counties have gone totally smoke free, and not just in the animal barns. You would think that if people smoked outdoors it wouldn't bother non-smokers, but it does, especially in crowded areas. Another reason to ban smoking at public events is to de-normalize it. If kids don't see adults using tobacco, then they are less likely to start. If there were fewer people smoking this year at the Fair, it was voluntary, but that is a good step in the right direction.

Women, Infants & Children's (WIC) Nutrition Program Feeds Families

$1.3 million dollars was spent on food in Coos County grocery stores for 3,008 WIC participants in 2007, plus an additional $5,980 at farmers' markets. The money goes for specifically chosen foods, such as milk, eggs, cereal, infant formula, and fruits and vegetables that will help to improve the diets of new mothers and their children. WIC is the premier public health nutrition program nationwide. One out of 3 children under the age of 5 receive WIC services at some time during their childhood. In Coos County, 55% of women who gave birth in 2007 were served by WIC. In addition to providing free foods, WIC serves include individual growth and health assessments and education on nutrition, physical activity, and breast feeding.

Who pays for WIC? The federal government, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides money for WIC to Oregon's Department of Human Services, which pays for the food, and passes money to the local programs to pay for the operation of the program (staff and supplies). The federal money is not enough to cover the cost of the local programs, however, and many county health departments in Oregon have had to supplement the federal funds with local dollars. In Coos County, local government funds are in short supply, and the loss of the federal timber payments has created a deficit for the WIC program. In order to maintain services to needy families, the Coos County Friends of Public Health is soliciting donations for WIC in the Coins for Coos Kids Campaign. Contributions will help to assure that families will continue to get WIC at a very important time in their lives, when adequate nutrition can affect a baby's health for a lifetime.

Budget Blues, by Frances Smith

It's budgeting time for next year, and we are trying to figure out how to continue public health services in Coos County, with the available funding. Budget hearings are likely to occur in May, with adoption of the county budget in June. We recently participated in an assessment, along with all the other county health departments in Oregon, to compare our capacity to meet national standards for local health departments. We found that we need 8 additional positions to do the work to meet basic standards. Eight is also the number of positions that we have lost since FY 2006/07, or about 20% of our workforce, so it's clear that we have a deficit. The most recent cut in services is our maternity case management program. The Medicaid reimbursement is too low, and we lack other funding to provide the service. It's hard to let go of a prevention program that helps pregnant women, because the consequences of a healthy (or unhealthy) pregnancy are lifelong.

Funding for public health is a mix of federal, state, and local tax dollars, plus private grants, fees, and donations. Local tax dollars are in short supply, and the expected demise of the federal timber payments to counties is a significant factor in cuts for many county services. The money we receive from the state and federal government for family planning, WIC, communicable disease control, immunizations, HIV prevention, and other programs is determined by legislators and political agendas. We are hoping the importance of public health programs is not lost in the scramble for tax dollars, and that the future holds promise for a stable base of funding. In the meantime, we are continuing to serve thousands in our community....

A Welcome Donation, by Frances Smith

Last Thursday, the Coquille Tribal Community Fund was generous to Coos County Public Health and gave us $7,000 to purchase 3 new exam tables for our clinic programs. The most expensive table will have a motor to lower and raise it. This will really help women who otherwise have difficulty getting on the exam table because of bad knees, arthritis, or other mobility problems. The other 2 tables will be large enough so that plus size women will feel more comfortable during their exams. The tables will be used in our family planning program, which serves women (and men) of childbearing age. Women who receive exams in the Breast & Cervical Cancer Prevention Program (age 40-64) will also benefit.

The Coquille Tribal Community Fund also gave us $5,000 to provide exams for teens and young adults who otherwise would be unable to afford them. Since there is no longer any government money for us to provide exams to diagnose sexually transmitted infections, this donation will greatly benefit the young people who otherwise may go without treatment. Thanks to the Board of Trustees and Tribal Council for their recognition of this important need and their support.

Shingles Vaccine, by Frances Smith

I've recently been asked questions about the Shingles vaccine, and thus the topic for today. We do provide it at the Health Department for $179.59 (only one dose needed). You have to be 60 or older to be eligible (because the vaccine research was not done on people younger than 60). Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus--the same virus that causes chickenpox.

If you were born in the U.S. before 1980, you are presumed to have had chickenpox or to be immune to chicken pox (maybe you had exposure but didn't break out). You are susceptible to getting Shingles because the virus stays in your body. The Zoster vaccine can help to prevent Shingles, or lessen the severity. The older you get, the more likely you are to have a case of Shingles (about a 50% chance by age 85).

Can Shingles cause chickenpox? Yes. When the Shingles rash is in the blister state, the varicella virus can be transmitted by direct contact with the rash and cause chickenpox. A person with Shingles is not infectious before blisters appear or after the rash is gone (even though pain may continue).

If someone has already had Shingles, the zoster vaccine can help to prevent another case in the future. For young people who did not have chickenpox, and have had 2 doses of the varicella vaccine to prevent chickenpox, the Shingles vaccine is unnecessary.

New Year's Resolution, by Frances Smith

I'm late making my New Year's resolutions. I had wanted to do something different, other than the usual "get more exercise, more sleep, and eat less junk food." This week I reviewed a booklet called R U Ready? and realized this was it. My personal stash of emergency supplies at my house and in my car is not ready to go. It's time to finish that project, because as Public Health Administrator, I will have a critical role in emergency response. Have you put it off, too? The R U Ready ? booklet printed by Coos County Emergency Management has suggestions for gathering supplies (over a period of time) that are essential for survival if no help arrives for days. The most critical supply? Water. At least a gallon per person per day. (Think about an earthquake destroying the water and sewage lines. ) The second item I am going to be sure to have is a battery powered radio, so that I can tune into 98.7 FM, the Coos County Emergency Broadcast Station, and find out where to go when my water supply runs out. The RU Ready ? booklet should be found on the County's website, soon. There is an even more comprehensive guide: R U Ready, Southern Oregon Coast Disaster Preparedness, that can be obtained free if you shedule a free disaster group presentation through Kathy Hornstuen, a member of our Friends group. (firetrainer@harborside.com). The Red Cross website also has good information. www.redcross.org