Jaren Nelson - Southeast Idaho Public Health

        I contacted the Southeast Idaho Public Health Office and was able to be bounced around to someone who had time or was willing to talk. I spoke with a few different specialists and got one or two different issues that each department was focusing on. I first spoke with Mary of Madison County, and she spoke about immunizations and the septic systems. Kelly, an environmental health worker, spoke about food safety and the condition of drinking water. Finally, Mimi Morgan brought up the issue of HIV and STDs in Southeast Idaho. All three workers referred me to http://www.siphidaho.org/ which is Southeast Idaho’s Public Health website.

1.     Immunizations- The problem with immunizations is that there is a decline in the number of people who are actually getting them. With a lack of urgency or even a basic education about the importance of getting immunizations, more and more diseases are appearing in young ones today. Some of these diseases were thought to be completely eradicated but are now being found. Pertussis is one such example.

2.     Septic systems- Septic systems can cause big problems really fast if not properly cared for. A professional should check a septic system at least once every 3 years to ensure that it does not get backed up or overflow. The reason for this is that a backed up or overflowing system can release harmful and even deadly toxins.  An issue with septic systems in Idaho is not placing the drain field in the right location or disturbing it by planting trees with deep roots, parking or driving on top of it which compresses the soil, or flooding the drain field with excessive water. The costs to repair the damages caused by a backed up septic system really add up.

3.     Drinking Water – Drinking water is a public health issue because most of the water obtained for drinking is from wells. This makes it very important to keep the area around wells free from contamination. It is advised to avoid having your well in a pit. This may require moving the metal sleeve around so that it is catching free flowing water. Animals and livestock should also be kept clear of wells. The only way to know if your well water is safe is to test it. You cannot tell if it is safe by only the smell, taste, or color of it.

4.     Food Safety – This issue deals with foodborne illnesses. It is important to educate people about the importance of cooking meats to their proper temperatures and to not undercook certain meats (poultry and pork).  Farmers are also responsible for keeping their produce and livestock free from harmful diseases that can be transferred to us. Food handlers are also in need of better education so that they are not a means of caused illness when going to restaurants. Educating everyone about the importance of safe food handling and preparation is a priority.

5.     HIV and STDs – Proper education about the how HIV and STDs are transmitted is crucial. In Idaho, most of the health courses teach that abstinence is the way to avoid HIV and STDs. While this is 100% true, that does not mean that all people are going to avoid sexual activities and/or needle sharing that can cause the spread of these diseases. On the public health website, it teaches that safe sex practices should be used. These include using latex condoms with a water-based lubricant, avoiding oil-based lubricants, avoiding intercourse with someone who may have a disease (or better yet, getting tested so you both know), and to avoid illegal drug use all together.