Regional health department head asks commissioners to ban smoking on county property – McCook Daily Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. Myra Stoney, director of the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, told Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning she wants them to consider "No Smoking," "No Tobacco" and "No Vaping" restrictions on county property.

Stoney would also like to see more school children vaccinated against the flu, and changes in the procedure of reporting flu vaccinations.

"We have a terrible epidemic in the use of vaping products," Stoney told commissioners during their regular weekly meeting. Many users "vapers" of vaping products are developing lung diseases and long-term lung damage. As of October 2019, U.S. officials counted 1,300 vapers with potentially vaping-related lung illness in 33 states and one territory. While most of the victims have been young, all those who have died 33 were adults, according to authorities.

Stoney told commissioners, "Years ago, Myra Stoney said to state officials, 'We need guidelines on vaping.' And she was told, 'No, we need to wait for the FDA.' And now it's seven or eight years later, and we have a vaping epidemic."

"Nobody's regulating what's in these (vaping pens and e-cigarettes) besides nicotine," Stoney said. Stoney provided information regarding the harmful/potentially harmful substances that can be found in the aerosol produced by an an e-cigarette and inhaled: Volatile organic compounds, ultrafine particles, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead, and flavoring(s) linked to serious lung disease. "Second-hand (exhaled) aerosol" can also affect bystanders. "Government officials ned to move forward and quickly to ban vaping," Stoney said.

Stoney said the SWNPHD board itself wants its own properties clearly marked with "NO SMOKING," NO TOBACCO USE" and "NO VAPING" signs.

Stoney said SWNPHD has run out of or is running out of flu vaccinations, particulary the high-dose vaccine for those 65 years of age and over.

Stoney wants SWNPHD to concentrate on getting more people covered by the flu vaccine. "Healthy People 2020" indicates that 70 percent of the population is vaccinated, while locally only 35 percent are covered. Although, Stoney pointed out, that percentage number may be skewed and could be higher, because of the way vaccinations are reported. "Our goal is to count the number of flu vaccinations given and compare that to the population of the county," she said.

Stoney wants SWNPHD to work with its partners hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, health departments within its nine-county area to get school children vaccinated. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable populations, she said, and children are often not vaccinated for flu. "Taking on flu is huge," Stoney said. "But it needs to be done."

Kathie Skeen, the health department's new emergency planning coordinator, since June 2019, is taking on the task on making sure the nine-county health department is prepared for disasters natural and bio-terrorism a task that hasn't been a priority for the health department for several years.

Skeen told commissioners she is working with counties' emergency managers to prepare disaster exercises.

Sheen said that the medical spooky cache created in 2009 when the H1N1 flu virus (swine flu) was spreading fast around the world and the World Health Organization called it a pandemic is no longer needed and has been re-distributed to ambulance services within the health department district. Although, she said, they still have cots available, and they can be purchased by calling the SWNPHD at (308) 345-4223.

Skeen told commissioners that she and her family have never gotten flu shots before, but that her work with Stoney and the SWNPHD has taught her about "all the crudd" that's out there, and that she and her family have gotten their flu shots.

Stoney updated commissioners on these SWNPHD activities and highlights in a 2019 (July 2018-June 2019) annual report:

Free health screenings "Every Woman Matters" and the "Minority Health Initiative" provide health coaching with focuses on physical activity; "Check. Change. Control." blood pressure monitoring; cholesterol numbers; preventive cancer screenings; improving overall fitness; blood glucose numbers; and diet and exercise.

Radon Education and Testing Half of the homes tested in Nebraska have radon levels more than 4.0, which is the level that requires installing a system to remove the radon gas from the home. Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

Walk to Health A free walking program to promote physical activity and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Connecting with "VetSET," finding resources for veterans and their families.

Living Well workshops, teach individuals living with chronic conditions to work at overcoming physical, mental and emotional problems caused by or associated with heart disease, diabetes, depression, liver disease, bipolar disorder, emphysema.

Lifespan Respite Network, serves as a resource and referral service for families needing a break from caregiving, across the lifespan.

NE Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day, teaches fourth graders how to make healthy lifestyle choices and how to get and stay active.

Disease Investigations, the investigation of diseases that could spread or otherwise pose a hazard to the public.

Lead Education and Inspection, protecting children from exposure to lead for lifelong good health.

West Nile Virus Surveillance, trapped mosquitoes are tested for West Nile virus.

Tobacco Coalition with Tobacco Free Lincoln County and Community Connections of North Platte, created baby bibs imprinted with "Tender Lungs at Work. Thank you for not smoking." and distributed to gift packages for parents of newborns.

SWNPHD's public health nurse Melissa Propp RN graduated from the Great Plains Leadership Institute in October 2018. Propp is the fifth health department staff member to graduate from this year-long training program for emerging leaders in Nebraska organizations whose primary mission is to improve the health and well-being of populations and communities.

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Regional health department head asks commissioners to ban smoking on county property - McCook Daily Gazette