Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Health Allianc has good inaugural year

Roughly a year ago, the Prescott-Nevada County Health Alliance formed.

In the span of 12 months, the Alliance accomplished several goals.

When it first met on January 31, it was determined the group would focus on existing health activities for all ages. The outcome was a gathering of information concerning these activities.

A survey was distributed for the second meeting, with the results showing smoking, obesity, which was lumped with cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and lack of resources for seniors being the biggest health problems in the area.

Violence, including the lack of parenting skills and abusive behavior, was also mentioned.

Children's week was held in the county from April 7-13, with a parade, story telling, a puppet show and an environmental science fair held for the youngsters. More than 100 children were involved in the event.

The Alliance applied for and received a grant for tobacco community coalitions to work on prevention and second hand smoke with six other counties.

The breast care foundation funded Operation Pink Link, where the focus was making known how accessible mammograms are.

Pink Carnation Sunday was held in 20 minority churches in the county, with 55 Nevada County women getting mammograms as a direct result of the effort.

Also in April, Dr. Alan Fox gave a presentation on diabetes, its prevalence and how it's connected to obesity. Dr. Fox also talked about the problems connected with diabetes.

In May, a presentation on the Secrets of the Tobacco Industry was given to students in Nevada County schools. The students learned the effects of smoking on their bodies and health.

The member organizations selected the top 10 health issues for Nevada County in June. They were: tobacco use; alcohol and substance abuse; lack of parenting knowledge and skills; lack of preventative health; teen pregnancy; sexual activity/sexually transmitted diseases/HIV/AIDS; violent and abusive behaviors in adults and teens; cardiovascular diseases; poor senior adult health care; and diabetes.

Also at this meeting, the Alliance selected the top three issues as priorities, working on one at a time trying to develop a plan of action and identification of resources available.

Dr. Fox again took center stage in July, when he told about tobacco use and prevention in the county.

The plan he presented to the group included preventing second hand smoke exposure, preventing the sale of tobacco products to minors and working to keep minors from starting to smoke or use tobacco products.

The Health-A-Rama was held in September, with health screens provided along with health education.

Some 500 people attended and received \screenings for their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, eye exam and foot exams.

When November rolled around, the focus was on the direction the Alliance would take in the coming year.

Nominations were also made for officers for 2003.