HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 Board of Health Programs: A Five Year Summary BOH 5 yr review 1997 - 2002.rpt Board of Health Programs: A Five Year Summary
Over the past five years and including the time during which the current health
assessment took place, the Board of Health worked to strengthen its core public health
program and create a foundation to meet future needs of the community. Steps toward
this goal, in addition to the health assessment itself, include the following:
Revision of Local Regulations. As of 1997, local health regulations had not been revised
since 1953. At the beginning of 2002, all local regulations had been completely revised,
with many new regulations added to protect community health and well-being.
Improved Public Health Nursing Program. Public health nurses play a critical role in
infectious disease prevention, monitoring and control, and may contribute to the
prevention of chronic diseases through screening and counseling. The creation of a staff
position with the Board of Health in 1998 resulted in increased contact with local
healthcare providers, improved health screening services, and more vaccinations and
preventative services for residents. Reinforcement of the position also strengthened the
Town's capacity to respond to a pandemic disease outbreak, to a bioterrorist attack or
other emergency event.
Health Screening. The Board promoted greater accessibility to health screening services
for residents in an effort to prevent the morbidity and mortality of specific widespread
diseases. Blood pressure testing for all residents is now available through the Health
Department. Screening for susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes will be available as of
November 2002. Tuberculosis testing is available to residents at high risk for the disease.
Increased Vaccination Coverage. The Board advanced vaccination of at-risk groups
and expanded clinical testing for diseases, including: 1) Hepatitis B vaccinations for
adolescents; 2) influenza vaccinations for seniors, residents 50 years of age and older,
and the chronically ill; 3) Hepatitis B for first responders; 4)pneumococcal disease
vaccinations for seniors. Tetanus vaccines may also be obtained from the Public Health
Nurse.
Enhanced Environmental Protection: To protect the local environment and protect
community health, the Board of Health has initiated or participated in the following
programs:
• Minuteman Household Hazardous Waste Facility: The Board contributed to the
development and operation of the facility that provides the community with
better, ongoing access for hazardous materials disposal than the single day event
of years past.
• Toxics Use Reduction Programs: The Board of Health has received two separate
grants from the Toxics Use Reduction Institute to reduce toxics usage in the
community. The first program addressed toxics usage by residents and small
businesses through a communications program. The second program focused on
reducing toxics usage by restaurants and other food establishments, local schools,
and the municipality.
• Pesticide Reduction Program: Letters were sent to residents as part of a campaign
to discourage use of pesticides and herbicides for landscaping, which may harm
the watershed.
• Surface water testing: Extensive testing has been carried out on the Old Reservoir,
Vine Brook and other areas to assess pollution levels and ensure the safety of
recreation areas.
Influenza Pandemic, Bioterrorism, and Natural Disaster Planning. In 2000,the
Board of Health set emergency planning as a goal. Emergency planning continues in
order to prepare for natural disasters, bioterrorism events, and to address the probable
threat of an influenza pandemic.
Improved Food Safety. Enforcement of changes to the State food safety code in 2001,
increased training offered to establishment by Health Department staff, and increased
inspection levels have improved the safety of food establishments in Lexington. Goals
for improved food safety were based on the high number of susceptible seniors and
young children in the town and the many visitors who patronize local restaurants.
Increased Collaboration with School System. The Board of Health worked with the
school system to implement a Hepatitis B vaccination program for middle and high
school students, to address problems with lead in the water at certain school buildings,
and to identify indoor air quality problems.
Meeting the Health Assessment Priorities: Board of Health Focus for the Future
The Board of Health will continue to strengthen core programs in the future while
integrating the key issues generated by the health assessment into its planning process. As
a beginning, the Board voted to address obesity and related chronic diseases as a focus
for the upcoming year. However, the many other issues cited in the evaluation will also
be addressed in the future either through the efforts of the Board, or through collaboration
with or support of other Town agencies.