Community public health meetings bring together shareholders responsible for various public health development initiatives to foster collective improvement. Therefore, it is critical to take note of discussions in public health meetings because they reflect on the willingness of individuals to facilitate change and describe how everyone can contribute to a healthier community within their jurisdiction. On the 25th of January 2022, I had the opportunity to attend a Rockland Board of Health meeting held via zoom and graced by the Chairman of the Board, two committee members, and the areas health agent. The meeting had two main agendas, i.e., to discuss trash abatement and provide a Covid-19 update on recent developments. The following passages summarize the meeting’s content and the committee’s action plan.
All members present in the meeting had specific roles. The Chairman of the Board was responsible for overseeing critical decisions regarding public health improvement plans and dealing with issues that facilitate challenges. On the other hand, the two committee members represented the voice of other members and shareholders in health departments. Finally, the community health agent acted as the community’s spokesperson and was responsible for liaising with other community members and personnel to deliver the message from the discussion. Therefore, although the meeting did not have a full panel, every member concerned was represented and accounted for in the discussion, plans, and decision-making. As a result, all members who attended the meeting were confident that it served its purpose and facilitated improvements according to expectations.
Trash Abatement
Healthcare institutions all over the US are criticized for going against their values and what they preach by engaging in the illegal disposal of waste and environmental pollution. As a result, trash abatement is often a hot topic, especially in healthcare institutions serving thousands of patients and accumulating notable amounts of waste (Singh et al., 2020). Therefore, waste management is one of the topics the committee decided to shed light on during the meeting. According to the tabled information, healthcare institutions in Rockland accumulate more waste than they can dispose of using the available waste disposal techniques. Moreover, while incarceration proves to be the most effective waste disposal method, most institutions do not have active incarceration units and personnel to handle maintenance and repair services. Thus, the members decided it was crucial to address these concerns at the facility level and deal with issues before they aggravate.
On that account, the committee decided to gradually improve the waste abatement system to incorporate a comprehensive solution to handle all waste disposed of by medical institutions in the area. First, the committee resolved to allocate more funds to resource allocation and addressing responsibilities to ensure that everyone plays their role in waste management. Generally, waste from hospitals can include chemical/hazardous waste or non-hazardous waste in the form of liter and plastics. Nonetheless, all forms of medical waste have far-reaching impacts on public health and bio-diversity. However, working as a unit to collect, categorize, and eradicate this waste from the environment can significantly improve health outcomes and pave the way for a healthier future society. Subsequently, the committee agreed to lay down plans to roll out a program to improve waste management and reduction in all institutions.
Covid-19 Update
The other agenda topic the committee discussed is Rockland’s procurement of home testing kits and the steps taken to distribute them to individuals within their community, especially those who cannot afford these kits or tests in healthcare institutions. Although the Covid 19 pandemic is an issue that is seemingly under control, marginalized communities and individuals suffering from poverty experience severe problems, indicated by the high prevalence and incidence rates of infections in these areas (Kantamneni, 2020). As a result, the procurement of the kits was a step towards alleviating issues faced by these societies. Nonetheless, it is critical to ensure appropriate distribution in areas where these kits are needed to address potential challenges gradually. Therefore, the Covid 19 update sought to detail the plans intended for the distribution. According to the discussion, the board agreed to allocate resources according to the vital indicators taken in health institutions and their economic status.
Similarly, the board recently received surplus PPEs donated by the State, including N95 masks, gloves, gowns, and shoe covers for front-line medical practitioners and clinicians handling Covid 19 patients. As a result, the board discussed how they would disburse these supplies and ensure that they get to the hands of practitioners requiring them the most. Apart from catering to medical practitioners, individuals in skilled nursing facilities, and clinicians, the PPE masks and gloves are also intended for the general population because community members should also access the donations and use them for their benefits. Therefore, the board members agreed to handle the donations the same way as the procured kits by distributing them to medical institutions according to their needs, severity of infections, and economic status. Nonetheless, the board agreed to prioritize medical institutions to protect caregivers and practitioners from getting infected and falling victim to the disease.
Finally, the Chairman brought to the committee’s attention a recently hired public health nurse who occasionally gets out of their way to engage with local schools, homes, and care institutions to follow up on cases of increased Covid 19 incidence and prevalence. Over the past year, the board has been creating awareness and advocating for interprofessional collaboration to help nurses and other practitioners cater to the most pressing issues in society. Therefore, the board discussed strategies to honor such individuals and a reward system to encourage others to follow suit. Nurses play a more personalized role in individuals’ healthcare practices, allowing them to initiate notable changes through their initiatives. Therefore, health institutions should support all practicing nurses and facilitate the required resources to conduct community engagement activities and improve public health. The board agreed to follow up on this matter and make changes according to the recommendations.
Community public health meetings are crucial to support continuous public health developments and engage the community in activities that promote their well-being. As such, they can be used as benchmarks to evaluate progress and determine the right course of action in case of diversities or setbacks. The Covid 19 pandemic is currently raging through society, leading to the neglect of several other critical topics like mental illness and chronic disease. Therefore, it is vital to occasionally hold meetings that allow individuals to share ideas, make propositions, and present their opinions on the best way to counter issues and prevent a health crisis. On that account, healthcare systems should organize programs to include more individuals and decision-makers in such activities for comprehensive solutions and time-bound developments.
References
Kantamneni, N. (2020). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized populations in the United States: A research agenda. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 119, 103439. Web.
Singh, N., Tang, Y., Zhang, Z., & Zheng, C. (2020). COVID-19 waste management: Effective and successful measures in Wuhan, China. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling, 163, 105071. Web.