Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-02-08

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, February 8, 2024
 7:00 pm
 Conference Room D&E, Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St


 AGENDA

I. Call to Order

II. Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of Minutes: January 6, 2022

IV. Board of Health Chair Report, Dr. Ed Linn

V. Director’s Monthly Report, Mike Charley, Director of Health and Human
 Services

VI. Ongoing/New Items of Business
 A. BOH Workplan Discussion
 B. Skokie Health Symposium 2024 (February 20)

VII. Public Comments

VIII. Adjournment

 Next Regular Meeting: March 14, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.




Document Number: 616191 Version: 1

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, February 8, 2024
 7:00 pm
 Conference Room D&E, Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St


 MINUTES

In attendance: Dr. Swapna Dave, Dr. Michael Gottesman, Maureen Hanlon, Juliet Haido,
Margaret Keeler, Dr. Edward Linn (Chair), Rohit Pandya, Jan Shiffman, Dr. Kyungran Shim, Dr.
Romil Sood, Patricia Urbanus, Irtaza Usman, Ruth Varma, Dr. William Werner, Dr. Larry
Williams, Sibyl Yau, Staff Liaison: Mike Charley

Not in attendance: Heidi Nickisch Duggan, Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Dr. Girijia Kalyan Kumar Trustee
James Johnson, Trustee Keith Robinson


I. Call to Order @ 7 PM

II. Approval of Agenda: Approved

III. Approval of Minutes: January 6, 2022: Approved

IV. Board of Health Chair Report, Dr. Ed Linn: Dr. Linn communicated that data shows that
 Gonorrhea cases are trending down, however Syphilis cases are trending up across the
 country. He provided several respiratory-viruses including COVID-19, RSV and the flu
 continue to circulate. According to the National Wastewater surveillance data COVID-19
 may have peaked. There have been two new COVID-19 variants since last fall and the
 virus will continue to mutate. There is always a concern that the variants will be more
 transmissible and escape immunity. Dr. Werner asked if the rate of Syphilis cases was
 being compounded by the limited supply of Bicillin to treat the disease? Margaret
 Keeler responded that recently a new antibiotic (Linezolid) was approved. Dr. Sood
 asked what is the prevalence of Syphilis in Skokie? Mike Charley responded that he had
 recently reviewed Skokie resident Syphilis data and Skokie resident data does not show
 a significant increase in Syphilis cases. however there are areas throughout Illinois that
 have seen increases. Mike communicated that HHS plans on reducing the stigma
 associated with STI testing and treatment. The plans include using Village social media
 to educate the public.

V. Director’s Monthly Report, Mike Charley, Director of Health and Human Services: HHS
 participated in the January 27 District 69 Winter Wellness Fair administering free flu
 vaccines and distributing public health education. The Environmental Health Division
 conducted flavored vaping compliance checks at 26 tobacco retailers in January 2024


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 and found no violations. HHS is still in the process of hiring a new Public Health Program
 Coordinator/Analyst position. On April 14, 2024 the Commission on Family Services will
 be holding a People with Disabilities townhall meeting that is open to the public. The
 HHS budget and BOH budget were submitted for FY25, both budgets are still in draft
 form, however budgets will go in front of the Village Board prior to May 1. All three
 major seasonal respiratory viruses (flu, RSV & COVID-19) have seen recent decreases in
 emergency room visits according to CDC data.

VI. Ongoing/New Items of Business
 A. BOH Workplan Discussion: Mike Charley communicated that if there are any
 topics that the BOH would like to discuss and/or local public health organizations
 that members would like to see present at a future meeting to let him know. Dr.
 Dave communicated that she would be interested in researching Cannabinoids
 and then drafting education for Skokie residents.
 B. Skokie Health Symposium 2024 (February 20): Sibyl Yau communicated that
 there is a Skokie Health Symposium scheduled for February 20 at the District 219
 administrative offices. Members of Skokie’s Health Equity Team, including the
 individuals participating the 4 subcommittees (Access to Healthcare, Access to
 Behavioral Health, Affordable Housing, Data) have been invited. The symposium
 will include updates from the action teams, a presentation from the Lake County
 Health Department’s IPLAN coordinator and a small group break-out session
 where questions about the direction of the Community Health Improvement
 process will be discussed. Sibyl communicated that if any of the BOH members
 wanted to participate in the meeting, to let her know.

 Sibyl Yau is one of the co-chairs of the IPLAN’s Access to Healthcare team and
 she participated in the District 69 Winter Wellness Fair on January 27. A prenatal
 flyer was developed and distributed. The flyer encourages women to get early
 prenatal care. Increasing early prenatal care is a priority within Health and
 Human Services’ Community Health Improvement Plan.

VII. Public Comments: None

VIII. Adjournment @ 7:55 PM

 Next Regular Meeting: March 14, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.




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