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Guest column

Year's medical challenges met for the most part

By MARC J. YACHT
Published December 30, 2005

There have been many health challenges to our local community this past year. Sadly, an infant succumbed to catastrophic Eastern equine encephalitis. West Nile virus affected Pasco's first resident and encephalitis tragically claimed a popular teenager. The noted cases are rare but emphasize the need for vigilant public health efforts.

Also, the hurricane season spared our community but left its mark on Florida's Broward and Dade counties. Mississippi and Louisiana were especially hard hit. Pasco Health Department staff joined other Florida volunteers to assist hard-hit communities. The courageous residents of New Orleans continue to rebuild their homes and lives.

Pasco's Health Department partnered with the Sheriff's Office, county administration, Emergency Management Services, local fire departments and municipal police to address health and safety at overnight festivals.

The County Commission passed a new ordinance targeting these concerns. There had been serious injuries, accidental deaths, and illegal drug use at past concerts.

Again, this year, the lack of timely flu vaccine angered a nervous public concerned about the potential avian flu pandemic. The Health Department has been actively involved immunizing the community with limited supplies of vaccine.

Local physicians also are frustrated with delivery delays. The Health Department has received more supplies but it is difficult to assess availability in local doctors' offices. Needed is a better tracking system and equitable distribution policy.

Pasco's resident population has topped 400,000 and includes significant increases in the county's uninsured. The inability to pay for health care has affected hospitals and physicians. A recently formed committee includes service providers, elected officials, Pasco Medical Society, Sheriff's Office, Pasco schools and other interested parties to address this burgeoning problem. Resolving the issues of the uninsured and inadequately insured require national attention. However, recommendations by this committee may offer some relief to health care providers and improve health care for thousands of local families.

The venerable ABC restaurant inspection program has ended due to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's paperless inspection program. Residents are advised that all inspections are available for purview on the state DBPR Web page. Pasco's 20-year-old grading program will be missed. It had received national and statewide attention.

The ratio of births to deaths continues to improve as Pasco's population becomes younger. That's good news. Many of those babies are precious residents of newer communities. Our growing neighborhoods will generate more resources for better roads, health care, public safety, schools and improved county services.

The expanding population has required additional Health Department services. Women, Infants and Children (WIC) saw its enrollments at the highest levels in our history.

These needy moms received supplemental nutrition, educational services, breast feeding encouragement, and formula assistance to help make for healthier families. Infants weren't our only target as the Health Department's elderly nutrition program made home visits and worked with other agencies to improve food intake and assist homebound elders.

Efforts within the division of Community Health Promotions partnered with private and public agencies addressing obesity in 2- to 12-year-olds in a number of sponsored programs. These programs are for the long term and will face periodic reassessment. Exercise and proper nutrition are keys to good health.

The Health Department's dental clinic provided 900 services to children this year. Our dental grants allowed care to more than 700 adults. Working with the West Pasco Dental Association, our dental program also provided dental care to victims of domestic violence, AIDS infected, and pregnant needy women.

Our nursing division's Breast and Cervical Cancer Program screened more than 1,100 women this year. Thanks to Komen grant dollars, we diagnosed two women in their mid 40s with early stage breast cancer. That can be a life-saving diagnosis. In all, 14 cancers were identified and referred for treatment. This program has saved many lives since its inception eight years ago.

What are our challenges for 2006? Here are two:

The number of people without health insurance continues to grow. Effectively addressing health care for those families represents an elusive target. Policy failures will place increasing pressure on local hospitals, private providers, and government to provide health services. Health care equity for all should be at the top of the national agenda.

Our nation should enter the next flu season with adequate vaccine and an effective distribution policy. We can do it!

Dr. Marc J. Yacht is director of the Pasco County Health Department.

[Last modified December 30, 2005, 00:57:15]