| The next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,
September 9, 2008 @ 5:30 at the Public Health Office, 101 Central
Street, Glenwood, IA 51534 |
In 1967 Chapter 137 of the Code of Iowa marked the beginning of
a new era of public health in Iowa. Each county was required to establish a five
member local board of health with one member being a physician licensed by the
state of Iowa. The county board of supervisors would appoint additional members
to the local board. Local boards of health have responsibility
for public health in their jurisdiction. They support local public health
vision, mission, and advocacy and encourage community involvement in setting
public health priorities. Their overall responsibilities relate directly to the
three core public health functions and the ten essential services of public
health.
 Assessment--knowing
what needs to be done
Regular collection, analysis, interpretation, and communication of information
about health conditions, risks and assets in a community. Mills County, under
the leadership of the local board of health, recently identified health
problems, resources, and needs by completing the Mills County Community Health
Assessment.
Policy
Development--being part of the solution
Local boards of health are working to increase collaboration, promoting of
shared responsibility for problem solving. Policy development can support public
health and help meet community needs.
Assurance--doing
what needs to be done, or making sure it happens
A primary responsibility of local boards of health is to assure that private and
public services to protect and promote public health are available and
accessible to all.
Click
on this link to view Mills County Public Health's
Essential Public Health Services Table
Serving on a local board of health is an honorable and
noteworthy task. The success of public health in meeting the challenges of the
new millennium will depend on capable and dedicated leadership by the local
board of health. MILLS COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERSHIP:
Richard Swenson, Chairman
Margaret McKee, R.N., Vice-Chair
Ron Silvius, D.O., Board of Health Physician
Jay Burdic
Rita Million, R.N., B.S.N. |
