“Public Health is Everybody’s Business”
Public health is important to everyone, but does everyone realize what public health means to individuals, families, and communities? Few realize the broad range of activities and responsibilities for which public health is accountable. The following are just a few of the numerous facets of public health:
§ Health screenings
§ Preparing for emergencies
§ Immunizations
§ Protection from food borne illness
§ Safe drinking water
§ Improving indoor air quality
§ Access to health care
§ Wellness programs
§ Disease and injury prevention initiatives
§ Protection from environmental hazards
§ Protection from vector borne diseases
§ Healthy housing
It becomes obvious that it takes many partners and resources to address the public health issues that affect our everyday life. The State of New Hampshire is currently embarking on a challenging endeavor to provide a plan and process to improve the public’s health in New Hampshire by moving toward a regional public health system. This plan will create a sound infrastructure for the delivery of essential public health services throughout New Hampshire. An effective public health system:
§ Assesses and promotes health and safety;
§ Prevents or minimizes the occurrences of diseases and injuries;
§ Plans, prepares, and responds to natural and manmade disasters;
§ Identifies barriers, and facilitates access to primary and preventive healthcare; and
§ Enforces public health laws and regulations.
As New Hampshire proceeds with the planning and development of this regional public health system, Plaistow can anticipate some interesting changes in the future. More information on this planning can be found at the NH Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Public Health Services website at http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/DPHS/iphnh.htm.
Local Public Health Initiatives
Public Protection from Foodborne Illness and Disease: An estimated 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths are attributable to foodborne illness in the United States each year.~ For some consumers, foodborne illness results only in mild, temporary discomfort or lost time from work or other daily activity.~ For others, especially pre-school age children, older adults, and those with impaired immune systems, foodborne illness may have serious or long-term consequences, and most seriously, may be life threatening.
Plaistow is one of only 15 towns or cities in the State that has the authority to license and inspect food service establishments and retail food stores located in our Town. This is a significant benefit for our town, allowing prompt local response and action to ensure that food is prepared under safe and sanitary conditions.
This is accomplished through routine inspections, follow-up inspections, complaint investigations, foodborne illness investigations, plan reviews of new or remodeled establishments, training in safe food handling and guidance in food security preventive measures.
Comprehensive Mosquito Surveillance and Control Plan: Mosquito surveillance and control are fundamental components of any response plan aimed at preventing mosquito-borne diseases, such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV).~ Mosquito surveillance includes targeted mosquito trapping, species identification, and testing of mosquitoes for EEE and WNV.~ Mosquito control includes source reduction of habitats where mosquito breed (e.g., draining standing water) and chemical control through the appropriate use of larvicides and adulticides (chemicals aimed at killing mosquito larvae and adults).~ Adulticiding may be performed as "spot spraying", targeting specific high-activity areas. Plaistow has a mosquito surveillance and control plan that has been approved by the Commissioner of the
Department of Health and Human Services. In 2007, the Commissioner of DHHS continued the public health threat (from mosquito-borne viruses) declaration for Rockingham County. This enabled Plaistow to apply for and receive reimbursement for specific mosquito control activities in the amount of $8551.
During 2007, the State of New Hampshire reported 2 birds that tested positive for WNV. Additionally, 6 mosquito pools, 1 horse, 1 alpaca and 3 human cases of EEE were reported. Although Plaistow had no positive cases of EEE or WNV in mosquitoes, animals or humans, our neighboring town, Newton, had both positive mosquitoes and a human case. Based on these findings, the Commissioner has continued the public health threat declaration for our county for 2008.
Resource for Public Health Concerns and Information: The Plaistow Health Department works collaboratively with State and local partners to provide the public with accurate, “real-time” information on emerging public health concerns. Food and product recalls, MRSA, avian influenza, mumps outbreak in a neighboring State, seasonal influenza, and disaster preparedness are just some of the recent concerns in the news. Questions on these and many other topics can be found on our town website, www.plaistow.com or by contacting the health department at 382-2494 ext.21.
Respectfully submitted,
Dennise Horrocks
Health Officer
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