Public Health Community Trends

Public Health Community Trends

Lauren Stanford

I spoke with Carol Ballew, PhD. She is the senior public health epidemiologist of Montana, within the Helena offices. She works for the Department of Public Health and Human Services. She was particularly helpful and shared with me the state’s Public Health Improvement Plan and their goals for the next five years.

1. Prevent, identify, and manage communicable diseases, particularly through immunizations during childhood and adolescence. Carol said that the primary issues they have with communicable disease are easily preventable with immunizations. The population where they most focus on encouraging immunization is with children. It is important that they focus on education and encouragement so that the parents realize the importance. Also, this connects with the next goal, promoting health of mothers and children.

2. Prevent, identify, and manage chronic diseases particularly through tobacco use prevention and education. Chronic diseases affect all of the United States. In Montana, they are most concerned with tobacco use, which influences many aspects of public health. By focusing on tobacco use prevention at early ages, beginning while children are in school, there is a better chance that it will not be as big of a problem when they are older. Part of this involves working with other organizations, such as schools and clinics.

3. Promote the health of mother, infant, children, especially through improved prenatal care. People may think that this goal is more applicable to a developing country. However, these issues are still important in the United States. It is necessary to focus on the health of these demographics, since they are so intertwined. Carol stated that their focus is to encourage prenatal care even earlier in the pregnancy, so it can be most effective.

4. Prevent injuries, focusing on preventing DUIs and encouraging seat belt use. Injuries are a major focus in Montana. DUIs account for a large segment of injuries and accidents. Seat belt use is also a simple thing, yet often overlooked by the general public. By focusing on education and awareness, these two issues will greatly influence public health in Montana.

5. Reduce exposure to environmental hazards, by focusing on the Clean Indoor Air act, or not smoking indoors. Carol stated that the Department of Public Health and Human Services works closely with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. They both have similar objectives in helping people become aware of hazards and working to comply with laws that have already been passed. Again, this goal is similar to chronic disease prevention and focusing on tobacco use. Again, public health officials need to be able to work with other departments to be most effective.