Delaware County Daily Times, Tuesday, July 31, 2007
County council should seek public input on health-study parameters
To The Times:
Delaware County remains the largest county in the United States without a county public health department. Delaware County relies upon a Department of Intercommunity Health staffed with four people … county employees dedicated to their job, but who are not certified in public health or have a medical background.
Last year, Delaware County Council established a Health Advisory Committee. All Advisory Committee meetings are kept closed to the public with no reporting or minutes available for public review. It is important for this working group to keep the public apprized of outstanding health and safety issues facing Delaware County. Providing information is a good thing --- especially when it relates to public health concerns.
County Council’s recent decision to seek outside professional, medical, and academic help in evaluating how health services are provided is a “healthy” and positive step. By contracting with Drexel University’s School of Public Health, County Council may finally have the data needed to determine whether Delaware County is prepared for a pandemic and other possible health and safety issues. It is time for residents to receive factual information about the pros and cons relating to a County health department. For any study to be worth the expense, the study’s purpose must be clearly defined prior to signing on the dotted line. Will Drexel be restricted to a review of the County’s current health delivery system or will the study also analyze the viability of establishing a County health department? What health issues will be reviewed and will the County’s current system for reporting, monitoring and targeting health concerns be fully assessed? When will the study be completed? And, will Drexel’s complete, unabridged report be made available for public review?
Council must be diligent with its contract review. It would be prudent for Council to solicit public input for the study’s parameters. Let us not exclude the taxpayers of Delaware County in this process.
This is one public concern where politics must be set aside. Delaware County must be prepared as best as possible for any public health situation and health safety emergency. The health, safety and welfare of Delaware County residents must remain the top priority for Delaware County Council.
ANN M. O’KEEFEHaverford |