HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-24 Board of Health Minutes North Andover Board of Health
Meeting Minutes
Thursclay, May 2 , 2012
7.00 pan.
120 Main Street,2"d Floor Selectmen's Meeting Room
North Andover, MA 01895
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.
I1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. April 26,2012 meeting minutes are to be presented for signature—The
Apt-if meeting minutes are still being reviewed and will be submitted at a future meeting for signature.
V. OLD BUSINESS
VI. NEW BUSINESS
VII. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION
A. Type II Diabetes—Introduction and Video—presented by Debra Rillahan, Public Health Nurse
Debra Rillahan,provided an introduction regarding a conference that she attended regarding Diabetes,and was
provided with a video created and distributed locally through Holy Family Hospital in conjunction with Dr.
Sobrado,a Dr,who practices in the Merrimack Valley.
Dr.MacMillan noted that he did some training at the Joslin Center. Diabetes is a significant risk factor for vascular
disease;heart attacks and stroke. Diabetes causes metabolic malignancy,kidney failure and extremity failure.
Insulin is also related to the growth,which stimulates cancer growths.
Dr.Trowbridge inquired as to why the Merrimack Valley area has seen a growth in Diabetes and if it is higher
because of better screening or because of nationality.
Sarah Hempstead is an intern at the Health Department this summer,and will be working on a Diabetes Project,
which will also include connecting the link to Diabetes with race demographics. The Health Department is
considering the offer of doing blood sugar screenings at the National Night Out in August.
The growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes in the United States impacts us here in the Merrimack Valley.The rate of
hospitalizations due to diabetes in Andover,North Andover,Haverhill,Lawrence and Methuen,is 21 percent higher
than elsewhere in the state,according to an assessment taken by Holy Family Hospital.The Center for Disease
Control's County Level Estimates of Diagnosed Diabetes has shown that in Essex County about 83 percent of adults
were diagnosed with diabetes. Essex County falls above the 2009 state average of 73 percent.These percentages do
not include women with gestational diabetes.
May 24,2012 North Andover Board of Health Meeting-Meeting Minutes Page I of 4
Note: The Board of Health reserves the right to take items out of order and to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on
the agenda.
Board of Health l lembers: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fixler,Member/Clerk;Francis P.MacMillan,jr.,
M.D.;Joseph McCarthy,Member; EdNvin Pease,Member Health Department Staff,Susan Sawyer,Health Director; Debra
Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Pamela DelleChiaie,Health Department Assistant
In the United States diabetes is thought to affect an estimated 25.6 million adults over the age of 20(National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,National Diabetes Statistics,2011).That number,25.6
million adults,does not include those who have pre-diabetes. When those with pre-diabetes are included,the
estimated number rises to about 79 million adults,or at least one in three adults.
Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to adequately use the insulin that it has created,or there is a shortage of
insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone which allows sugar to enter cells.If the body is unable to use the insulin or
there is not enough available,then sugar cannot enter the cells. When the sugar is able to enter the cell,the cells can
convert the sugar into energy.This causes sugar to build up in the blood stream and cause additional health
problems.These health problems can include:Heart attacks; Strokes;Blindness or other eye problems;Kidney
failure; Blood vessel disease;Numbness of the feet. Controlling blood sugar levels can help reduce the chances of
diabetes-related complications.
Pre-diabetes occurs when the blood glucose(sugar)levels are elevated above the normal range,but are not so high
as to be considered diabetic. It is believed that individuals diagnosed with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes
within the next 10 years if they do not make changes to their current lifestyle. Lifestyle changes typically include
increasing physical activity and changing one's diet. Physical activity can decrease the body's resistance to insulin
and use the insulin already produced by the body,while a diet lower in fat and sodium can help reduce the risk of
complications due to diabetes.
There are many risk factors for type 2 diabetes.They include:
Advanced age
Being overweight or obese and where the body weight is carried(your risk factor is higher if you carry
your weight around your abdomen)
Your heritage(if you are of African American, Hispanic American,Asian America,Native American or
Pacific Islander you are at a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes)
Relative with type 2 diabetes
Physical inactivity
Diagnosis of pre-diabetes or gestational diabetes(or a having a baby who weighed over 9 Ibs at birth)
The more risk factors that you have,the higher your risk is for developing type 2 diabetes.If you have any of these
risk factors,you should talk to your doctor about getting tested for diabetes.
It is important to remember before making Iifestyle changes that you should consult with your doctor to determine
the best and safest changes for you.
B. May-National Hepatitis Awareness Month-presented by Dr.Frank MacMillan,Jr.
Hepatitis is a liver inflammation that could lead to injury,organ failure,need for transplantation or liver
cancer. Hepatitis can be classified into five main types:
1. Viral, including acute and chronic types: Chronic hepatitis can result from Hepatitis B and C
viruses. Acute hepatitis can result from Hepatitis A(vaccine preventable),Herpes simplex,
Epstein Barr,Cytomegalovirus and others.
2. Autoinnnune causes include AIH,PBC and PSC
3. Inherited causes such as genetic hemochronnatosis,Wilson's disease
4. Metabolic causes such as alpha-lantirypsin deficiency,amyloidal,alcoholic and non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease.
May 24,2012 North Andover Board of Health Meeting-Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4
Note: The Board of Health reserves the right to take items out of order and to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on
the agenda.
Board of Health Members: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fixler,Member/Clerk;Francis P.MacMillan,Jr.,
M.D.;Joseph McCarthy,Member; E&Ndn Pease,\Member Health Department Staff:Susan Sawyer,Health Director; Debra
Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Pamela DelleChiaie,Health Department Assistant
5. Toxins such as poisonous mushrooms,chemicals,etc.
Hepatitis C virus is the most common form of chronic viral hepatitis in the US. Hepatitis B virus is the
most common form of viral hepatitis world-wide. Both have effective treatment available. Hepatitis B is
vaccine preventable,and US infants are universally vaccinated at birth for HBV since the late 1990s,
Risks:blood transfusion or blood products,tattoo, IVDU,nasal cocaine,rarely sexual transmission.
Facts: Most common form of viral hepatitis in US,estimated over 4 million Americans infected(most
unaware),few if any symptoms until liver damage already present(silent killer),leading cause of liver
transplant and liver related death in the US. Coinfection with HBV and HIV rapidly accelerate disease
natural history.
HCV(Hepatitis C Virus)causes chronic hepatitis in 80%of those infected.
HBV(Hepatitis B Virus)causes chronic hepatitis in 20%of those infected as adults,up to 90%in perinatal
exposure. Most chronically infected HBV patients in the US are foreign born,and were infected in
infancy. The chronically infected demographic seen is generally from: Southeast Asia; South America;
Eskimos,and Eastern Europe.
Oil May 8,2012,the CDC recommended that all US baby boomers(1945-1965)be tested for HCV
(estimated to result in over 800,000 newly tested,possibly saving 120,000 lives). Treatment is a period of
6-12 months,and people under 60 tolerate the treatment better.
There are newly available treatments such as: boceprevir,and telaprevir,when added to PEG-
ifn/Ribaviron,boost cure rates over 75%for HCV. Dr.MacMillan noted that before the development of
these drugs,other medicines only had a 40 percent to 50 percent rate of cure.
On May 19,2012,the CDC Chief of the Hepatitis Division was quoted in the Washington Post"Many
baby boomers may not even remember the behaviors that put them at risk."
Bottom line is that all baby boomers are now recommended to be checked for Viral Hepatitis C at least
once. Speak with your primary care doctor about your risks,they can best decide who should be referred to
specialists who evaluate and treat those with hepatitis. Hepatitis C is not found by the blood work one has
as part of a yearly physical examination.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE/NEWSLETTERS
A. Sharps Disposal--It was noted that as of July 1,2012,that no sharps are to be allowed in trash. The
sharps disposal location will be moved fiom CVS on Main Street to the Fire Station at 10 Main Street.
The Fire Department takes used syringes and the Police Department takes medication for disposal. For
medical supply items that have not been opened and are allowed for use(not actual medications), Ms.
Rillahan brings them to IMEC here in North Andover. htti)�//wNvw.hnecariicrica.or•g/about-us/. Ms.
Rillahan provided some examples of some unused medication and disposal process. More people are
passing away at home now with medications as opposed to hospitals as in years past. Therefore,we
have seen an increase in unused medications held by individuals.
1X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:l2 p.m. All were in favor.
Pi-Wared BL
May 24,2012 North Andover Board of Health Meeting-Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
Note: The Board of Health reserves the right to take items out of order and to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on
the agenda.
Board of Health Members: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fixler,Member/Clerk;Francis P.INIacMillan,Jr.,
M.D.;Joseph McCarthy,Member; Edwin Pease,Member Health Department Staff:Susan Sawyer,Health Director; Debra
tillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector;Pamela DelleChiaie,Health Department Assistant
Painela DelleChiaie, Health Dept. Assistant
Reviewed by:
All Board of Health Members&Susan Sawyer, Health Director
Signed g_�ed bv:
October 25, 2012
Lamy Fixler; 1 •k of the' oar Date Signed
May 24,2012 North Andover Board of Health Meeting--Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
Note: The Board of Health reserves the right to take items out of order and to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on
the agenda.
Board of Health Members: Thomas Trowbridge,DDS,MD,Chairman;Larry Fixler,Member/Clerk;Francis P.MacMillan,Jr.,
M.D.;Joseph McCarthy,;/Member; Edwin Pease,Member Health Department Staff:Susan Sawyer,Health Director; Debra
Rillahan,Public Health Nurse;Michele Grant,Public Health Inspector,Pamela DelleChiaie,Health Department Assistant