Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Chair), Suzanne Swanson, Ursula La Motte

Clinton Young

 STAFF:

Dolores Heredia, Don Sandford, George Gretsas.

GUEST(S):

The meeting commenced at 2:10 PM.

 Leg. Stewart-Cousins opened the meeting by thanking Dr. Adel for attending. Leg. Stewart-Cousins stated all of the health issue concerns of the Committee members. Since there were many, Dr. Adel agreed to return at a future date to discuss any issues that he could not discuss today. Today he agreed to discuss Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B.

 Dr. Adel discussed the methods by which Tuberculosis is tested. He stated that most of the people administering the tests are doing so inappropriately. Many schools are using the multiple puncture test, because it is easier to administer; however, this is an inaccurate test. The "better" test for Tuberculosis is the TBS test. Dr. Adel also discussed the role of screening. He discussed how mass-screening is not appropriate. Mass screening only reveals a few TB cases. In addition, it reveals may positive-negatives that are very costly to the program. The appropriate place to look for TB, in order to prevent it in children, is to look for it among adults. The community can do "Target Screening," that is identify high-risk population areas, and screen that area. "High Risks" areas are people who come from high risk countries, people who travel, children with parents who travel, and children with immune deficiency diseases. Mass-screening takes away resources that are greatly needed for case finding and for curing patients once found.

 Next, Dr. Adel discussed Hepatitis. Hepatitis is transmitted in the same way as Aids, by close contact. A person can get over the disease; however, it can linger as a chronic disease and later in life can cause serious pancreatic and liver cancer. Dr. Adel feels that Hepatitis B is a preventable disease.

 Health & Medical Committee 

He states that if proper immunization is given at birth, and some during adolescence, in time everyone will be immunize -- and eventually the disease will no longer exist. Dr. Adel also discussed how adolescents are a terribly neglected high risk group because they are at an age where they are engaging in sexual activities. He notes that they are at a stage in their lives that is the most serious with regard to vulnerability to disease; yet, their medical attention at this stage in their lives is zero. Dr. Adel discussed how they have sent updates on Hepatitis B outlining the strategy to every infectious disease unit and hospital and every infectious disease physician in the County. Dr. Adel promised to forward this information to the Committee.

 Leg. Stewart-Cousins asked Dr. Adel whether he has been able to synthesize all of his thoughts and concerns. Dr. Adel stated that he has been in touch with the Administration, and it is his understanding that the County Executive is making his concerns known. Leg. Stewart-Cousins stated that she would like to join the County Executive in making those concerns known. Leg. Stewart-Cousins asked whether that material could also be provided to the Health and Medical Committee so that the Committee can be intelligent advocates as well. Dr. Adel promised to forward this information. In addition, Dr. Adel agreed to come back to the Committee, to discuss prostrate cancer, in approximately three weeks.

 Leg. Swanson moved to adjourn, second by Leg. La Motte. The meeting ended at 3:00 P.M.