HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-21 Community Health Commission MinutesEdina Community Health Committee
November 21, 2006, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Community Room City Hall
Members Present: Bill Alldredge, Mark Johnson, Mary Jo Kingston, Idelle Longman, Brad Montgomery, Tolu Oyelowo
Members Absent: Jan Johnson
Guests: Berit Peterson, Edina Schools Health Services Coordinator
Staff Present: Sherry Engelman
WELCOME & CALL TO ORDER
Chair Oyelowo welcomed members and called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from September 19, 2006 meeting were approved by motion from Member
Alldredge and second from Member Johnson. .
HEALTH PROGRAMS IN EDINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Guest speaker for the evening was Berit Peterson, Health Services Coordinator for Edina Schools. Ms. Peterson gave an overview of the yearly school health services report. Health Services
goal is to provide optimum student health. They serve approximately 7600 public students and 1300 nonpublic students. Immunization is a key component of their program. Asthma is
now well controlled by long-lasting medications, decreasing the need for students to take meds during school. Diabetes is on the rise. The number of students with allergies and allergic
reactions has increased to a point that teachers are now trained on administering allergy medication. Field and overnight trips remain a challenge to students requiring medication.
Communicable diseases are ongoing, with lice being especially sensitive and emotional and requiring quick corrective actions. Overall, reports of general injuries are dropping. Edina
Police and Paramedic responders are especially helpful. Health Services feel a positive working relationship with the City. Fifteen defibrillators are now located in the schools –
all of the nurses and several other staff have been trained on using this equipment. An increase of mental health issues consumes large amounts of staff time. The public schools
are providing a large amount of medical care.
The school is currently working on a pandemic flu response plan and has coordinated efforts with the City of Edina and Bloomington Public Health Nurses. A suggestion was made by the
Community Health Committee to provide information on home emergency preparedness which the students can take home. Develop a family activity around creating a home emergency kit.
In addition, school staff is reviewing the “Fit School” program with an intent to apply.
Kathy Iverson, Edina Chemical Health Coordinator, was unable to attend however sent a written report on Chemical Health Week, Next Step Group and Freedom to Breathe. The report was
distributed to members. Ms Iverson will be invited to participate in the next committee meeting.
FITNESS CHALLENGE TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Members reviewed a draft memo to other Edina Boards and Commissions challenging them to improve exercise and nutrition habits. Member Alldredge will further wordsmith the draft and
bring it for review at the March committee meeting.
PANDEMIC FLU
At one of their recent business luncheon meetings, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored a speaker on emergency preparedness. Since the event was well attended by the business community,
the committee decided to delay further educational efforts on business emergency preparedness until later this year.
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Member Longman gave a report on the Community Health Conference which she attended in September. The emphasis was on risk communication and emergency preparedness. Other key components
included a motivational speaker, mental health issues of all ages, impact of spirituality on mental health. Minnesota is considered to be one of the healthiest states.
Member Longman discussed information regarding a tour of the new MDH lab. She will arrange a noon tour with MDH for Friday, February 23, 2007. The alternate date will be March 2, 2007.
Information on final arrangements, directions and parking will be emailed to members. All members said they wanted to participate.
HEALTH STAFF REPORTS
Liaison Engelman discussed the employee “Walk To Mexico” program. Following participation in an employee health fair, employees used pedometers to count their daily steps. Steps were
tallied weekly in effort to acquire enough for walking from Edina to Mexico, 1675 miles or 4,422,000 steps. Employees took on the personal and team challenge and all teams completed
the whole trip. It was a fun event to get employees active and challenge them to keep increasing their daily number of steps. The overall goal was to reach 10,000 steps per day which
is approximately five miles. Many employees continue to wear the pedometer to monitor their daily progress.
The health department has been actively promoting good personal hygiene. With the flu and travel season at hand, educational materials were distributed regarding proper hand washing,
covering coughs and flu shots. In addition, hand sanitizers were provided and located throughout all departments. Employees were encouraged to use them in addition to good hand washing.
CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS
None presented.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Committee would like to sponsor another community forum. This will be put on the March 2007 meeting agenda for discussion.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Member M. Johnson and seconded by Member Longman to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm
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Sherry Engelman
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2007 Meeting Dates: March 13 May 15 September 18 November 20