Rebecca Nazer
Southwest District
Health serves the six Idaho counties of Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette,
and Washington. The Public Health Official I spoke with was Laurie Boston works
with SDWH as a Public Information Officer.
We discussed the following:
Broadly, there is a rise in diabetes
and obesity in our health district.
One of thing that SWDH provides is
counseling, testing, follow-up result notifications, and treatments for sexually
transmitted diseases. In which there is a continuously high number of Chlamydia
cases. In September 2012 they reported 11 clients testing positive for
Chlamydia in Canyon County with 72 cases reported from all providers within the
county for the same time period.
More specifically, in 2012 were
outbreaks in pertussis and cryptosporidiosis (crypto) cases. Which have nationally
been increasing, but SWDH continues to have an increase in pertussis cases that
is higher than the statewide and national incidence rate. As of October 27,
2012, the incidence of pertussis is 31.57 cases per 100,000 persons. Regarding
Crypto, in August & September 2012, three times the expected number of
Crypto cases were reported in Canyon County. As of October 27, 2012, the incidence
of Crypto is 31.10 cases per 100,000 persons.
Despite the fact that their
services are on sliding scales due to income, they have seen a decline in
numbers of clients coming in for screening (annual) exams. It is believed that
this is due to the economy and clients' fears that there may be a charge they
can't pay. Unfortunately, it also means
that they are not receiving the preventive services that all women need;
cervical and breast cancer screening and contraceptive services to avoid
unplanned pregnancies.
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