02/06/04
Reported in the Galveston Daily News 02/09/04

La Marque – A Strategic Health Plan developed over the past nine months by the Galveston County Health District was recently adopted by the two boards that have oversight of the District’s policies.

The Plan provides specific goals in eight different areas, and objectives for reaching the goals. It is hoped this initiative will identify directions and improvements necessary to meet the changing health needs of Galveston County. The detailed goals and objectives can be reviewed at the District’s web site www.gchd.org.

Since the original planning session conducted in May of 2003 many other activities have been held to bring the final Strategic Health Plan together. Planning summits focusing on immunizations and environmental health issues were held at the District. Galveston County Health District staff met with local officials including both county commissioners and member city councils. Presentations of the draft health priorities and plan were also made at many community organizations which have a shared interest in the health of Galveston County.

“The United Board of Health has enthusiastically adopted this Strategic Health Plan,” states John Zendt, Chair of the Galveston County United Board of Health. “This plan was developed inviting the participation and feedback of a broad and inclusive group of community stakeholders interested in the health of Galveston County residents.”

The Strategic Health Plan as adopted contains the following priorities:

• Public Awareness - Prevention through public awareness activities targeted towards issues such as obesity, fitness, nutrition, tobacco cessation, childhood immunizations, oral health, disease reporting, etc.
• Access to Care and Health Disparities - Identify and eliminate barriers which contribute to health disparities such as cultural/language, inequitable access to health care, transportation, and lack of a coordinated indigent health care system ability to pay
• Business Improvement - Improve public health system and business practices in order to recruit and retain competent public health employees to increase access to technologies which will improve efficiency, to improve training programs, to improve internal and external communications to be prepared for public health disasters/emergencies, and to comply with legal responsibilities
• Healthcare Financing - Improve health care financing in order to avoid loss of revenue from Medicaid, to finance medications and indigent health care, and to increase medical reimbursements in the clinic
• Management of Chronic Conditions - Improve management of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, depression, etc.
• Environmental Health Improvement - Address environmental issues involving air, water and food to include aspects of wastewater management, enforcement, bacterial contaminations, animal control violations, toxic substances monitoring, and conservation of natural resources
• Senior Health Improvement - Address senior health issues such as isolation, social needs, healthcare, legal, transportation and housing; and
• Prevention Through Immunizations - Immunize children and adults to prevent infectious diseases.

“We feel confident that after six months of extensive planning the eight priorities address the most important health needs facing Galveston County,” states Dr. Mark Guidry, MD, MPH, Executive Director for the Galveston County Health District. “We also realize that these priorities present a great challenge, but one that we plan on meeting with the same type of effort and collaboration that went into developing the Strategic Health Plan. With our partners we can make a measurable difference in the health of Galveston County residents!”

The Strategic Health Plan will be used as a tool for improving the health of Galveston County over the next seven years. During the seven years regular updates will be provided to both boards, and an annual report will be prepared and made available to the public.

Thelma Logan, Chair of the 4C’s Governing Board is very proud of the work that went into the development of the Plan stating, “We appreciate the dedicated work of Health District employees who carried out the six month health planning process. We also recognize the need for the support of the entire community in taking positive steps towards improving the health of our community.”

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org