york district public health council quarterly full council ... · harrison, adam hartwig, leslie...
TRANSCRIPT
District Liaison: Adam Hartwig DCC Chair: Clay Graybeal PhD Vice Chair: Sarah Breul SCC Representative: Betsy Kelly
Vision: We envision a comprehensive, well-coordinated, accessible and equitable public health system for all in York County.
YORK DISTRICT PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL
Quarterly Full Council Meeting
Monday, March 25th, 2019
12:00pm – 1:30pm
York Police Department
Present: Shelly Bishop, Samantha Bowen, John Brady, Sarah Breul, Donna DeBlois, Kirsten Faucher, Clay Graybeal, Catherine Harman, Amber
Harrison, Adam Hartwig, Leslie Hinz, Jessa Kellogg, Gretchen Litchfield, Casey Marcotte, Michelle Mason, Martha Morrison, Kathryn Newell, Jen
Quimby, Heather Ross, Michelle Surdoval, Janie Sweeney, Ted Trainer, Luke Vigue, and Emilee Winn
Item Details Next Steps
1.
Welcome and Introductions, Clay Graybeal PhD, Chair: 12 – 12:05 pm
Clay Graybeal welcomed the attendees.
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2.
Maine CDC Updates, Adam Hartwig, MeCDC District Liaison: 12:05 – 12:10pm
Adam Hartwig discussed updated from the new Mills administration including the approval of Commissioner Lambrew. Commissioner Lambrew is committed to building up Public Health in Maine, having already increased staff levels. Governor Mills appointed Gordon Smith as the Director of Opioid Response – new strategic direction around opiates is being developed. The Maine CDC director position is still available.
Visit the Maine CDC website for new job listings that are available throughout the State: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs
3.
District Public Health Improvement Plan (DPHIP) Update, Clay Graybeal PhD: 12:10 – 12:15pm
Clay and Adam discussed that the current DPHIP for 2017 – 2019 is being extended to better align with the State and Hospital processes. The implementation deadline for the next DPHIP is being postponed to 2020.
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4. Healthy Housing Discussion: 12:15 – 1:30pm
The “Healthy Housing” presentation starts with lead poisoning and abatement, followed by secondhand smoke, and lastly discussing the Local Health Officer (LHO) efforts regarding mold, septic, and other issues.
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District Liaison: Adam Hartwig DCC Chair: Clay Graybeal PhD Vice Chair: Sarah Breul SCC Representative: Betsy Kelly
Vision: We envision a comprehensive, well-coordinated, accessible and equitable public health system for all in York County.
a.
Lead: Sarah Breul, Director of Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition
Sarah Breul discussed what lead is, why it’s harmful, and the prevention of childhood lead poisoning. Lead is a harmful toxin, especially for children under 6 years. Lead was found in paint until 1978 and has been deteriorating into paint chips and lead dust. As children encounter lead dust from playing and crawling, they are more likely to ingest it. Exposure and lead poisoning can result in developmental issues. The majority of poisonings are from housing built before 1950 – and more than half of Biddeford and Saco’s occupied rental units were built before 1950. Families can reduce lead poisonings by learning about risks and prevention – check for paint chips, cleaning floors and windowsills, and testing both home and children. Property owners can prevent lead poisoning by checking for paint chips, add language to the lease, use proper repair protocols, and stay informed as the landlords are responsible if a child is poisoned by lead exposure. Discussion arose around lead documentation when purchasing and selling a home, as well as a guide to lead-safe apartments in York County. Sarah discussed the Maine Housing Registry offers lead-free listings, but would like to see an industry-wide push to promote homes as lead-free like many do for being smoke-free. There are lead-related requirements for rental units including those that are available for Section-8 housing.
For more information: Sarah Breul, Director of Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition 207-602-3555 [email protected] Visit: Maine CDC www.maine.gov/healthyhomes Visit: Maine Tracking Network https://data.mainepublichealth.gov/tracking/home Maine Housing Registry: www.mainehousingsearch.org/ Lead Poisoning Control Act: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22ch252sec0.html
b.
Secondhand Smoke: Kirsten Faucher Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Partners for Healthier Communities
Kirstin primarily works to strengthen tobacco policies throughout York County and discussed the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. There is no risk-free exposure to secondhand smoke as it contains thousands of chemicals, including at least 69 known to cause cancer in humans. Secondhand smoke is linked to health concerns like SIDS, respiratory infections, developmental issues, and asthma in children, as well as increased risk for heart disease and lung cancer for non-smoking adults. Children, adults, and household pets can all experience harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and marijuana smoke do fall under secondhand smoke exposure. In addition to secondhand home, thirdhand smoke is the residual contamination of smoking left on walls, skin, and clothing that can build up over time which results in additional health concerns and higher home repair costs. Kirsten discussed steps a homeowner or rental property owner can take to become a smoke-free home - from making a plan to implementing and enforcing the policy. Template language to assist policy development is available at www.SmokeFreeForME.org
For more information, contact: Kirsten Faucher, MPH York County Tobacco Coordinator Partners for Healthier Communities [email protected] 207-490-7854 Materials: https://breatheeasymaine.org/policy-implementation/housing/order-free-materials/ Sign the Smoke-Free Home Pledge: https://breatheeasymaine.org/smoke-free-homes-pledge/
District Liaison: Adam Hartwig DCC Chair: Clay Graybeal PhD Vice Chair: Sarah Breul SCC Representative: Betsy Kelly
Vision: We envision a comprehensive, well-coordinated, accessible and equitable public health system for all in York County.
c.
Local Health Officer Program: Adam Hartwig Maine CDC District Liaison and Amber Harrison Director of Code Enforcement, LHO, and The Lead Plumbing Inspector for Town of York.
Adam gave an overview of the State LHO program and shared that LHOs are community members who, more often than not, serve the community they live in. LHOs are a local resource who field complaints and issues in their area. Amber shared the LHO statute and her partnerships working with Adam, Pine Tree Legal, Red Cross, FairTide, YCSA, YCCA to best help individuals. LHOs are also mandatory reporters and work with DHHS to best address issues. LHOs deal with many renter-landlord issues, dangerous structures, complaints, public health threat information, connecting community members to resources, food poisoning, bedbugs, mold, lead, water quality issues, and more. Amber shared photos – see presentation attached – for some insight on what an LHO may come across. Slides 3 – 5: mold issues that have been addressed. Slide 6: failed septic system - the green dye was flushed down the toilet to track where the failed septic system was draining to. Slide 7: poorly installed septic. Slide 8: a pump station needing work. Slide 9 shows a map of water testing records which is required in York. Slide 10 and 11: exposed piping from an overboard discharge – most if not all are addressed in York. Slide 12: manure pile that drains into a vernal pool. Slide 13 – 16: transitions the discussion to the issues around hoarding. Amber attempts to help and connect individuals who are hoarding to resources, however if the person is of sound mind and body, there is no law that restricts the way they choose to live. Slide 17 and 18: coordination with the Maine CDC to spread information on public health threats. Overall, LHOs work with a team of people to connect community members to resources. Discussion arose around the destruction mold causes, subdivision septic systems maintenance, York ordinance around required septic testing, grant for septic system replacement, waste pumped from septic tanks goes to local waste treatment plants, food complaints from restaurants, discussing a balance between individual choice and rights to local ordinances and laws, and a need for safe, low income house, and finished up discussing how to engage the community when it comes to discussing tick and mosquito prevention and education.
For the LHO Statute or to find your area’s LHO, visit: www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/lho/ Please feel free to email Adam Hartwig for more information regarding the LHO program: [email protected]
5. Adjourn, Clay Graybeal PhD, Chair: 1:30pm
Clay wrapped up the meeting by thanking the presenters and encouraged participants to share thoughts and suggestions for future meetings.
Questions and comments? Please email [email protected]
Next Full Council Meeting: Monday, June 3rd - Location TBD
Biddeford and Saco: Home to Healthy FamiliesPreventing Childhood Lead Poisoning
York District Public Health CouncilMarch 2019Coastal Healthy Communities CoalitionCONTACT: Sarah Breul - [email protected]
What is lead and where is it found?
▪ Lead is a toxin that can be especially harmful to children under the age of 6. Before the risk to young children was known, it was used in many products.
▪ Before 1978 it was found in paint. Paint bought today does not have lead in it. Older houses often still have old lead paint. Lead dust from old paint is the most common way children get lead poisoning.
What’s so bad about lead?
Lead can have a very serious and permanent effect on a child’s growth and development. Lead can cause:
▪ Learning disabilities
▪ Behavioral problems
▪ Hearing damage
▪ Language or speech delays
▪ Lower intelligence
How does lead poisoning happen?Dust from lead paint found in older homes and apartments is almost always the cause of lead poisoning.
▪ Lead dust collects on surfaces where children put their hands and play with toys. Children often put their hands and toys into their mouths.
▪ This makes it very easy for lead dust to get into and damage their growing bodies.
The majority of poisonings are in housing unitsbuilt before 1950
54.7% of Biddeford and Saco’s occupied rental housing units were built before 1950
The situation in Biddeford and Saco…In 2017, 16 children under 36 months had elevated blood levels
Compared to prior years…there is a downward trend
SOURCE: Maine CDC
The situation in Biddeford and Saco…
SOURCE: Maine CDC
FAMILIES can Prevent Lead Poisoning
Key areas for increasing knowledge and awareness
▪ Understand the risks of lead dust exposure
▪ Understand how to test your home and test your child
FAMILIES can Prevent Lead Poisoning
Actions families can take:
▪ Check for chipping and peeling paint; notify landlord about damaged paint
▪ Clean floors, windowsills, table tops with wet mops weekly
▪ Get blood lead screening for children at 12 and 24 months
PROPERTY OWNERS can Prevent Lead Poisoning
Key areas for increase knowledge and awareness
▪ Understand the risks of lead dust exposure
▪ Understand the Lead Poisoning Control Act says that if a child is poisoned, the property owner must pay for abatement and the expense of relocating tenants and fines for non-compliance can be applied. PREVENTION IS CHEAPER!
PROPERTY OWNERS can Prevent Lead Poisoning
Actions landlords can take:
1) Take advantage of unit turn over to check for chipping and peeling paint
2) Add language to the lease that tenants must report chipping and peeling
3) Get Renovate, Repair and Paint (RRP) certified…and/or hire RRP certified contractors
4) Stay informed: Join the Biddeford Area Landlords Association for information and resources
For more information:
Sarah Breul
Director, Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition
207-602-3555
Maine CDC
www.maine.gov/healthyhomes
Maine Tracking Network
https://data.mainepublichealth.gov/tracking/home
Secondhand Smoke and Tobacco Policies for
Property OwnersPRESENTED BY: K IRSTEN FAUCHER, MPH
YORK COUNTY TOBACCO PREVENTION COORDINATOR
PARTNERS FOR HEALTH/ SOUTHERN MAINE HEALTH CARE
Why Establish Smoke Free Buildings?
•Health
•Safety
•Cost
•Tenant Preference
Safe Buildings & Healthy Indoor Air
•The US Surgeon General has repeatedly stated there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke, even brief exposure can cause damage that can lead to serious disease and death.
•Secondhand smoke contains thousands of chemicals, at least 69 of are known to cause cancer in humans.
• Separating smokers from nonsmokers inside a building by using air filters and ventilation systems does not eliminate the harmful effect
•In 2015, emissions produced by electronic smoking devices (electronic cigarettes) and cannabis (marijuana) to secondhand smoke were added to the definition.
Secondhand Smoke
•Defined as tobacco smoke that is exhaled by smokers or is given off by burning tobacco, and is inhaled involuntarily or passively by someone who is not smoking.
Concerns:
• Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at a higher risk of health issues, including: SIDS, acute respiratory infections, ear problems, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and more severe asthma.
• Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25-30% and for developing lung cancer by 20-30%.
• 1 in 6 Mainers allow smoking in their home, putting tens of thousands of adults and children at risk of being exposed
• Pets breathe secondhand smoke and, as with humans, exposure is known to cause cancer and illness.
Emerging Concern: Thirdhand Smoke
•Thirdhand smoke is the residual tobacco smoke contamination that remains after a smoked tobacco product is extinguished.
•Concerns:• Infants, children and nonsmoking adults are at risk for tobacco
related health problems when they breathe air or ingest or touch materials contaminated by third hand smoke.
• Third hand smoke builds up over time and resists normal cleaning.
Cost and Safety Concerns
• Smoke free policies decrease costs for landlords and increase tenant safety
• Smoking is the leading cause of home fire death in Maine
• Smoking units tend to stay on market longer
• The cost to rehabilitate a smoking unit is much higher
Steps for Implementing a Smoke-Free Policy
•Make a plan
•Adopt policy language
•Educate residents and staff
•Amend leases
•Communicate policy
•Implement and enforce*Smoke-Free Housing isn’t about targeting people who smoke or making people quit or evicting people who smoke. Smoke-Free Housing is saving property owners/managers money Providing healthy indoor air for all residents of multi-unit housing Protecting the integrity of multi-unit buildings
Tobacco Policy Implementation Plan
Things to consider:
•Review current lease for notification requirements
•When do you want to have your policy take effect?
•Where will you restrict smoking? (i.e. all indoor locations, designated
smoking areas outside, whole property smoke-free, etc.)
•What products do you want to include in your policy?
Develop & Adopt a Policy
•Make policy language clear and consistent with how other policies are stated for your building
•Make sure the policy is structured in a way that is enforceable.
•Follow Model Policy Checklist
•Template language to assist policy development is available at SmokeFreeForME.org
Resources
•Tobacco policy templates for Landlords
•Resources including infographic, factsheets, FAQs, template policy language, etc.
•Technical assistance for policy implementation, enforcement strategies, communicating policies
•Signage and other materials https://breatheeasymaine.org/policy-implementation/housing/order-free-materials/
•Sign the smoke free Home Pledge
https://breatheeasymaine.org/smoke-free-homes-pledge/
Contact Info:
Kirsten Faucher, MPH
York County Tobacco Coordinator
Partners for Healthier Communities
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (207) 490-7854
LOCAL HEALTH OFFICERS
AMBER HARRISON
DIRECTOR OF CODE ENFORCEMENT, LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER, CRS COORDINATOR
M.R.S.A. TITLE 22: HEALTH AND WELFARESUBTITLE 2: HEALTH
PART 2: STATE AND LOCAL HEALTH AGENCIESCHAPTER 153: LOCAL HEALTH OFFICERS
§ 454-A POWERS AND DUTIES
• 2. Duties. A. Make and keep a record of all the proceedings, transactions, ordinances, orders and
rules acted upon by the local health officer; B. Report to the commissioner or the commissioner's
designee facts that relate to communicable diseases and cases of communicable disease as required by
department rules;
• C. During a declared health emergency, as defined in section 802, subsections 2 and 2-A, report to
the commissioner or the commissioner's designee facts regarding potential notifiable diseases and
cases that directly relate to the declared health emergency, as the rules of the department require;
• D. Receive and examine the nature of complaints made by members of the public concerning
conditions posing a public health threat or a potential public health threat;
• E. With the consent of the owner, agent or occupant, enter, inspect and examine any place or
premises where filth, whether or not the cause of sickness, or conditions posing a public health threat
are known or believed to exist. An agent with special expertise appointed by the local health officer
may inspect and examine the place or premises. If entry is refused, the local health officer shall apply
for an inspection warrant from the District Court, pursuant to Title 4, section 179, prior to
conducting the inspection; [2007, c. 598, §7 (NEW).]
• F. After consulting with the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, order the suppression and
removal of nuisances and conditions suspected of posing or found to pose a public health threat;
• G. Act as a resource for connecting residents with the public health services and resources provided
by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention; and
• H. Enforce public health safety laws, including:
• (1) Laws pertaining to the exclusion of students from school under Title 20-A,
section 6356;
• (2) Laws pertaining to control of browntail moths under section 1444;
• (3) Laws pertaining to the removal of a private nuisance or nuisance of a dead
animal under sections 1561 and 1562;
• (4) Laws pertaining to the establishment of temporary health care facilities under
section 1762; and
• (5) Laws pertaining to prohibited dumping under Title 30-A, section 3352.
• For purposes of this subsection, "public health threat" means any condition or
behavior that can reasonably be expected to place others at significant risk of
exposure to infection with a communicable disease.
MOLD
REMEDIATION
MOLD
SEPTIC SYSTEMS
SEPTIC SYSTEMS
SEPTIC SYSTEMS
HOARDING
• Coordinated network in Town to identify
and address potential dangerous
buildings (hazardous conditions, possible
failed septic, hoarding, etc.)
• LHO, Code Enforcement, PD, FD, YCSA,
YCCA, Fair Tide, Red Cross
PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS: MOSQUITOS AND TICKS
Vectorborne Diseases in Maine Informational Meeting
Presentation includes information about Ticks, Lyme disease, Prevention, and Other tick-borne
diseases in Maine, Mosquito Ecology, Control and IPM, Mosquito-borne illnesses, Data
collection, Town and State contact information. The presentation will conclude with a Q & A
session for the panel. Panel to include: Town of York Local Health Officer, Parks and
Recreation, School Facilities Manager, Department of Public Works, State Epidemiologist, and
the Town’s Mosquito monitoring and prevention contractor Swamp, Inc.
Date: Monday, June 22nd, 2015
Place: York Public Library
Time: 5:30-6:30 pm
PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS: MUMPS, MEASLES, ETC.