Volume 7 Issue 1

v i s i t u s o n t h e w e b : w w w. p b c h d . c o m

The Pulse

From the Director

he New Year ushered in many

significant events here at the
Health Department.

We began with an all out effort to assure

people were vaccinated against the H1N1
virus associated with the pandemic.
Doctors
offices,
private
clinics,
pharmacies, our health centers and
outreach nurses all worked tirelessly to
reach a large segment of the population.
In all, over 300,000 doses have been
distributed in our county. Although the
reported cases have dropped, I ask that
you remain vigilant since this virus arrived
during the non traditional flu season
months and could very well return.
All of South Florida has bonded together
in an effort to assist with the tragedy in
Haiti. We are working very hard for these
refugees in their hour of deepest need
and provide them with hope for a better
future.
I am happy to report that the University
of Wisconsin, Population Health Institute
recently released its National County
Health Rankings and Palm Beach
County was in the top 17 among the 67
Florida Counties. These rankings were
based on health outcomes like mortality
and morbidity as well as health factors
like behaviors, clinical care, social and

economic influences, and physical

environment.
Overall we ranked 12th
for Health Outcomes and 9th for Health
Factors. As you know, we will continue
to be the Champion for Health in our
Community and use these numbers to
focus on areas that need improving.
Together we can change behaviors that
lead to a healthier community.
Other efforts underway include the
Acreage Cancer Investigation which
continues in conjunction with our State and
National partners. We thank the people in
that area who have worked closely with us
on finding a potential solution.
The biggest explosion of the year
occurred when the 30 story 1515 building
in West Palm Beach was imploded. This
demolition brought to an end the efforts
by our Environmental Public Health staff
who worked tirelessly to assure that no
contamination, like asbestos and other
debris, would affect the people of our
community as this building came down.
Looking forward to working for your good
health throughout the year.

Alina Alonso, M.D. Director

Palm Beach County Health
Department
Rank Health Outcomes
1 Collier
2 St. Johns
3 Seminole
4 Sarasota
5 Martin
6 Indian River
7 Clay
8 Leon
9 Okaloosa
10 Santa Rosa
11 Miami-Dade
12 Palm Beach
13 Flagler
14 Broward
15 Hardee
16 Monroe
17 Manatee
18 Alachua
19 Charlotte

inside this issue....

Rank Health Factors

1 St. Johns
2 Broward
3 Okaloosa
4 Martin
5 Leon
6 Seminole
7 Sarasota
8 Alachua
9 Palm Beach
10 Santa Rosa
11 Collier
12 Indian River
13 Clay
14 Brevard
15 Monroe
16 Lake
17 Charlotte
18 Flagler
19 Orange

Article...................................................................................................................................................................... Page
From the Director........................................................................................................................................................... 2
The Acreage Investigation Continues............................................................................................................................ 3
Helping Haiti.................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Stop the Spread of Flu Ad Campaign............................................................................................................................ 4
Drilling for Disaster....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Folic Acid for Healthy Babies........................................................................................................................................ 5
Go RED for Women...................................................................................................................................................... 5
Sentinel Chickens on the Watch..................................................................................................................................... 6
PBCHD in the Spotlight at the South Florida Fair........................................................................................................ 6
And it ALL comes tumbling down................................................................................................................................ 7
Teen Pregnancy Prevention............................................................................................................................................ 7
v i s i t u s o n t h e w e b : w w w. p b c h d . c o m

Volume 7 Issue 1

The Acreage Investigation

Continues
The Acreage Investigation Continues

The Devastation of the January 12th earthquake in

Haiti has provided unique challenges for our states
The next phase of the investigation into elevated pediatric
healthcare system. With the death toll in the hundreds
brain cancer rates in the Acreage continues.
of thousands and as many injured, the event is having
global repercussions.
State Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros says the
executive staff has been briefed by, Dr. Lisa Conti,
Director of Division of Environmental Health, about the First and foremost has been handling the evacuation
investigation of the cancer cluster in the Acreage. DOH is and treatment of injured people. Several agencies
working very closely with DEP to conduct further testing from South Florida sent search and rescue teams
of the homes in this community. Recently, DEP concluded and medivac teams have brought the most severely
sampling the water at the 13 homes whose families have injured to local hospitals for treatment. So far Palm
been affected by pediatric cancers, as well as control homes Beach County has received nearly 200 patients in our
and the Seminole Improvement District Water treatment local hospitals and health centers and the numbers
site. Additionally, radium testing in the water has been change daily.
repeated. Soil sampling and testing has also started. DOH
is now analyzing the data collected during the recent in- The Palm Beach County Division of Emergency
depth interviews of the families affected, reaching out to Management is serving a vital role in keeping all
unaffected families to serve as control homes, and has
community partners linked to the latest information.
conducted gamma radiation testing inside and outside
the affected families homes. An expert from Centers for
The Health Department has created a roster of Creole
Disease Control and Prevention is providing guidance
for our next steps. Our DOH webpage has a link to the speaking persons who could serve as interpreters. We
Acreage information site located at pbchd.com. Governor also have modified some action plans to accommodate
Crist has reiterated his commitment to finding answers and the influx of Haitian refugees. In addition we have been
working with local physicians to process incoming
providing guidance to the residents of this community.
patients and alert them to the signs of tropical diseases
In addition, an alert is being sent to local physicians and and vaccinating evacuees as needed.
pediatricians to be aware of the potential symptoms of
pediatric brain cancer or tumors. Early intervention has Alerts have been issued to rescue workers and other
proven an important component in treating pediatric brain personnel travelling to Haiti to take recommended
cancers.
medical precautions in an effort to prevent avoidable
medical conditions and disease.
An Acreage Community Resource Center is being developed
to serve local residents. Recommendations and input from
Palm Beach County Schools have already accepted
the public, business, medical experts, environmental experts
over 400 Haitian refugee children so far. The Palm
and elected officials are being facilitated at the center. This
Beach County Health Department has a vital role
assistance will help DOH better serve the needs of the
Acreage community as we diligently move forward in the for these children to make sure they have up-to-date
medical evaluations and all required vaccinations.
investigation.
v i s i t u s o n t h e w e b : w w w. p b c h d . c o m

The Pulse

Stop the Spread of Flu

Ad Campaign!
Residents have been seeing The Palm Beach County Health
Departments message for preventing flu infections on TV,
while driving by Billboards and Bus Shelters and even on
the sides and back of Palm Tran Buses and reinforcing the
tips on local radio stations too!
The
Palm
Beach County
H e a l t h
Department
P u b l i c
Information
O f f i c e
has
been
spreading the
word about Flu Prevention
with grant money received
under President Obamas
Declaration of a Public
Health Emergency as a
result of the novel H1N1
virus. The ads are based
on our Flu Prevention
Poster by our graphic
artist Michael Las Casas
that have been distributed
throughout the county since
November.

Outreaches update
So far the Palm Beach County Health Department
has distributed nearly 400,000 doses of the H1N1
vaccine to the offices of local physicians, hospitals,
fire rescue and clinics. In addition the Palm Beach
County Health Department has scheduled 120 local
outreach locations (plus the regular Immunization
Van locations) to distribute the H1N1 vaccine at no
charge. For a list of our latest outreach locations visit
FightFluFlorida.com or call 1-888-411-4FLU (4358)

Radiological Disaster
Response Exercise

A training exercise in Palm Beach County in February

involved simulated response actions and the simulated
emergency protective measures that would be implemented
if an emergency at the St Lucie Nuclear Power Plant were
to occur.
These drills are required under federal code and are
conducted simultaneously with similar actions from
response agencies in 4 other counties they involved
simulated response actions by emergency response
personnel from various federal, state, county and municipal
agencies.

The poster features the

prevention message and was
adapted by Tim OConnor
and Robin Barrack along with
A real life situation occured when a water skier in the park
Michael for the broadcast
was injured and EMS on site was dispatched.
mediums and have been
playing throughout the day
The drill in Okeeheelee County Park was coordinated
and evening in January and
on site and in conjunction with the countys Emergency
February on nearly 20 local
Operations Center. The drill was shortened due to lightning
TV and radio stations. There
alarms and severe thunderstorms with hail that suddenly
are also versions in Spanish airing on some outlets. See came up during the drill.
them on our website at FightFluFlorida.com
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Volume 7 Issue 1

Folic

Acid

for

Folic acid is a B-vitamin that is necessary for proper cell growth.

If taken before and during early pregnancy either from a multivitamin or fortified foods, folic acid can prevent from 50% up
to 70% of some forms of serious birth defects of the brain and
spine.
Although all enriched cereals and grain products in the U.S. are
fortified with the B-vitamin folic acid, only one-third of U.S.
women of childbearing age consume the recommended amount.
Taking a multivitamin with folic acid every day is a key way
that women can get the recommended amount of 400 mcg
(micrograms).
Fifty percent of all pregnancies in the United States are
unplanned. Many of the 65 million women of childbearing age
are in the dark about what they need to do before they become
pregnant to guard against birth defects. The latest information on
folic acid research is readily available on a new web site www.
folicacidinfo.org to educate women and their families about the
benefits of this vitamin in reducing neural tube birth defects such
as Spina Bifida.

Go RED for Women

People visiting The Palm Beach County

Health Department on February 5th sure
saw a lot of red as many donned their
colors for National Wear Red Day - to
show their support for womens heart
disease awareness.
Statistics show that only 34% of women
are aware that heart disease is the #1
killer of women.
The WIC and Nutrition Division sponsored
a Lunch and Learn for Go Red for Women.
Dietetic interns Danica Poorbaugh and
Shauna Moody presented Heart Disease
and Women presentation for staff at 800
Clematis. Danica shared that 64% of
women who die suddenly from coronary
heart disease have no previous symptoms

Healthy

Babies

Women especially need folic acid, even if not planning to

become pregnant, since half of all pregnancies are not planned,
said Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Outreach
Coordinator Janice Campbell. In addition, Hispanic babies are
1.5 to 2 times more likely than others in the United States to be
born with a neural tube defect (NTD) such as Spina Bifida. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Latinas
in the United States consume the least amount of folic acid and
have the least knowledge about folic acid among racial or ethnic
groups in this country
Campbell also advises:
Taking a multivitamin with folic acid every day.
Eat fortified and enriched foods such
as grains, pastas, or breakfast cereals
Get regular prenatal care beginning in your first trimester of
pregnancy
Eat a variety of foods as part of a healthy diet
Taking a simple quiz located at www.folicacidinfo.org will
increase your knowledge of folic acid. You can also download
fact sheets or access links to more resources on this beneficial
B-vitamin. Information is available in English and Spanish.

of the disease. Women often experience

different symptoms than men when they
have a heart attack. Ronda Superville of
the Environmental Public Health Division
shared a very personal story about a
heart attack she experienced. I had back
pain and was very tired. When I went to
the doctor, I was told that I had bronchitis.
Less than three days later, my co-workers
knew something was not right and they
brought me to the emergency room. I
found out that I had had a mild heart
attack.
The good news is that cardiovascular
disease is largely preventable. Shauna
stressed healthy behaviors that women
(and men!) can focus on to be heart
healthy. These include the following:
Eat Healthy
Exercise for 30 minutes most days of
the week
Quit smoking
Loose excess weight
Schedule an appointment with your
doctor to understand your risk.

In the health centers, Jo Ann Donnelly, RD,

Coordinator of Go Red for the PBCHD
for the last five years, coordinated a
heart healthy inservice in Lantana. Staff
were treated to strawberries and healthy
fruit crisps with only 39 calories. Donna
Ward, RD, gave a Cardiac Quiz at the
C. L. Brumback Health Center and prizes
like as pencils with hearts, water, raisins
were given for correct answers! Lorna
Dubinsky, Certified Diabetes Educator
and Registered Dietitian, took pictures of
staff at West Palm Beach and showcased
Go Red with an employee bulletin board
of those wearing their red.
Here are some web sites for additional
information on heart disease and women.
www.goredforwomen.org
www.womenshealth.gov
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
*American Heart Association
National Wear Red Day is a registered trademark of HHS and AHA.

v i s i t u s o n t h e w e b : w w w. p b c h d . c o m

The Pulse

Sentinel
The Palm Beach County Health Department
Chickens on
in the spotlight at the
the Watch for
South Florida Fair!
The
Palm
the Health of
Beach County
our residents!
H e a l t h
The Palm Beach
County
Health
Departments
Sentinel
Chicken
surveillance program has long
been a mainstay of surveillance for
mosquito-borne diseases like St. Louis
encephalitis and West Nile virus.

Department
had a very
busy
booth
at the South
Florida Fair.
Folks
came
over to our
displays with
our spinning wheel and everyone (young and old) wanted to spin.
Spin the wheel serves as a method to engage the individual in a brief
conversation about public health topics, to test their knowledge and in
the process inform the public about something they may not have known.

Seven small flocks of chickens are

positioned throughout the county
in areas where mosquito activity is
thought to be most intense or where the
chances of the chickens being bitten
by mosquitoes that carry St. Louis or
West Nile virus are the greatest.
This years location provided great visibility in the Main Expo Hall.
Educational information on various topics such as the importance of
Chickens are used because they are
easily infected with a relatively small proper hand washing, how to prevent getting the flu, well water, and
dose of virus, such as that contained nutrition were given.

in the bite of an infected mosquito.

Once infected, chickens usually do not Also disseminated was information on many of our services and programs
become ill from the disease but they from Environmental Public Health, Healthy Beginnings, HIV/STD, WIC
and Nutrition Services to Tobacco Prevention.
do develop antibodies to the virus.
Blood is drawn from the sentinel
chickens at specified intervals. The
serum from the blood is sent to the
State lab in Tampa to be tested for
antibodies to the St. Louis and West
Nile viruses.
The goal is to detect when the viruses
are actively circulating in the county
BEFORE people get sick so that health
alerts can be issued to remind Palm
Beach County residents and visitors
to protect themselves from mosquito
bites.

Prominently displayed were lighted signs offering free H1N1 vaccines.

Seasonal
flu
vaccinations
were also given!
We
received
many
positive
comments about
providing
the
free
H1N1
vaccines
from
everyone
who
took advantage
of the program.

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Volume 7 Issue 1

And it ALL comes tumbling down

The long awaited implosion to demolish the
vacant 1515 Condo Tower on Flagler Drive
in West Palm Beach went off without a hitch.
The Palm Beach County Health Department
Environmental Health Department worked
closely with the city of West Palm Beach on
the logistics of the demolitions to minimize
any health hazards that may have impacted
the community.

at levels above the 1% threshold amount.

Based on an initial survey conducted in
2007, there was an indication that the stucco
may have asbestos at levels above 1%, and
therefore would be deemed regulated and
have to be removed prior to the demolition.
Later, a different consultant questioned the
validity of the original asbestos analysis
of the stucco. Subsequent analysis by the
consultant indicated the material had less than
Demolitions of large buildings have the 1% asbestos and as such was not regulated.
potential to release large quantities of dust However, Mr. Ortega pointed out that the new
that can adversely impact health. This survey did not follow acceptable analytical
is especially true if the building contains procedures as prescribed by EPA. This led to
asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is known to other sampling surveys conducted by both the
cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and the very rare consultant and the PBCHD which resulted in
cancer mesothelioma. The U.S Environmental some conflicting results. Subsequently, after
Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted very consulting with the Florida Department of
strict regulations for controlling asbestos Environmental Protection, one final sampling
under the National Emission Standards for of the stucco material was performed by the
Hazardous Air Pollutants. This regulation consultant and the PBCHD. The last analysis
requires that prior to the demolition of a indicated that all samples contained less
regulated building, all materials containing than 1% asbestos and therefore were not
asbestos at 1% or above must be removed. regulated.
The PBCHD is responsible for enforcing the
NESHAP regulations in the county and Mr. While the stucco material was not regulated
Alex Ortega, Environmental Specialist III, is pursuant to the NESHAP regulations, it did
the agencys designated asbestos coordinator. still contain some asbestos. With the amount
With the planned demolition of 1515 Tower,
the owner was required to provide a survey
conducted by a licensed consultant that
identified the asbestos containing materials
in the building that must be removed prior
to the demolition. The removal takes on an
even greater importance if the building is to
be demolished by implosion which generates
huge amounts of dust in a very short period.
Considering this, Mr. Ortega was very diligent
in his review of this demolition project. There
was some controversy regarding whether the
exterior stucco material contained asbestos

of dust generated by an implosion, although

for a very short in duration, there was still
some concern for potential exposure. For this
reason the PBCHD was very pleased that the
owner decided to remove much of the exterior
stucco prior to the implosion.

During the 1515 Tower building implosion,

Mr. Ortega along with his supervisor, Mr.
Thomas Tittle, were in Mr. Ortegas boat on
the Intracoastal Waterway to view the event at
a prime location. PBCHD was very pleased
with the success of the implosion and applaud
the contractors involved in the event.

Teen
Pregnancy
Prevention
The Teen Pregnancy
Prevention Program
promotes
healthy
pregnancy outcomes
for teens and their
infants as well as awareness,
access and implementation of
proper birth control methods to
prevent subsequent pregnancies
in the teen years.
The National Day to prevent Teen
Pregnancy will be held on May 5th
2010.
Palm Beach County will be
promoting the campaign this year
in the high schools via clinics and
guidance departments, the county
health departments as well as other
community venues. The National
Day is designed to educate and
encourage teen to make proper
choices about sex and to prevent
unplanned
pregnancies.
The
focus on abstinence is promoted
as the most desirable choice.
The campaign on the celebrated
day encourages teens to visit
the website stayteen.org and
take the quiz to see how they
score on choices to prevent teen
pregnancy. The website is also a
great reference for parents and
educators, and provides many
answers to questions about
teen pregnancy prevention and
strategies to promote abstinence.

v i s i t u s o n t h e w e b : w w w. p b c h d . c o m

Services Provided

The Palm Beach County Health Department is a

service organization responsible for the health of
over a million residents in Palm Beach County.
The many and varied core programs include disease
prevention and control, environmental public health,
school health and health education. In addition, the
department shares responsibility for primary care of
the medically indigent population of the county with the
private sector by providing millions of services annually
through its seven health centers.
The Palm Beach County Health Department has served as
the model agency for the State of Florida and many other
states throughout the country. For over 60 years it has led
the way with innovative programs that include:

v Immunizations for children

v Parental education in child care from pregnancy
to birth and beyond
v Monitoring the land, air and water
v Monitoring and testing for potential epidemics

The future holds many unknowns, but your Health Department

will be there to serve your health needs.

HEALTH ACCESS & COMMUNICABLE DISEASE------ (561) 840-4500

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE ---------------------------------- (561) 671-4184
ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH-----------------------------(561) 837-5900
COMMUNITY HEALTH--------------------------------------- (561) 671-4061
HEALTHY BEGINNINGS----------------------------------- (561) 671-4140
HIV/AIDS/STD/TB-------------------------------------------- (561) 804-7900
IMMUNIZATIONS------------------------------------------- (561) 840-4568
NUTRITION SERVICES--------------------------------- (561) 671-4089
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
------------------------------------------------------------------ (561) 671-4014
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE/PUBLIC HEALTH
RESIDENCY PROGRAM-----------------------------(561) 837-5171
DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH----------------------- (561) 837-5660
VITAL STATISTICS-------------------------------(561) 837-5841
SCHOOL HEALTH----------------------------(561) 671-4160
WIC------------------------------------------ (561) 357-6022

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