Heath commissioner: 2022 Public Health in Review
In 2022 COVID-19 continued to dominate the public health discussion. In Fairfield County, the Health Department staff sustained their ongoing pandemic response activities. In January of 2022, a surge of COVID-19 due to the Omicron variant resulted in 8,871 new cases and 58 deaths during the month. Case rates quickly fell by March before climbing to nearly 1,500 cases per month during the summer.
New COVID-19 booster vaccine availability prompted an increase in booster doses given in the fall. County-wide, our combined private and public sector vaccine providers administered up to 400 new boosters per day.In 2022, the Fairfield County Health Department (FCHD) expanded their health promotion programming. Additional staff were hired to promote healthy lifestyles and injury prevention. New grant funded programs were added, including HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living), Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation, and Cribs for Kids.
The health department renewed their focus on Quality, Efficiency, and Effectiveness, last year. Starting with Lean Six Sigma yellow belt training for all FCHD staff followed by Lean Six Sigma green belt certification for a core group of improvement team leaders. In 2023 FCHD will continue identifying opportunities for improved quality and efficiency in the delivery of public health services in the county.
The Health Department’s summer mosquito control program had been limited to surveillance, including trapping and testing mosquitoes for disease, but in 2022 FCHD added spraying (adulticide applications) to their mosquito-borne disease prevention tool kit. Nearly 400 miles of roadways, streets, and alleys, were sprayed to control adult mosquitoes in nine communities over the summer and early fall months.
Every three years, the health departments in each county in Ohio are required to complete a Community Health Assessment (CHA). In 2022 FCHD worked with representatives from 30 different organizations to develop and send surveys to thousands of Fairfield County households. They received over 700 responses and conducted key informant interviews with various community leaders. The completed assessment is available on the fairfieldhealth.org website.
The results from the health assessment will be used to develop a Community Health Improvement Plan that will help guide public health system programs and investments over the next three years.
I look forward to continued growth and enhanced public health services delivery as the Fairfield County Health Department continues to work with community partners to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles, and protect the environment in 2023.
Joe Ebel, REHS, MS, MBA is the Fairfield County Health Commissioner
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Heath commissioner: 2022 Public Health in Review
