HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 6968 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6968
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�oESORT�o To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 18, 1984
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Subject: PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIAL PROJECTS
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During the past year, the Department of Public Health initiated a number of
special programs to improve health services for several targeted groups.
Four of these programs will be highlighted in this report. Fonds for these
programs were provided from State and Federal sources.
Maternal/Child Health Block Grant (Jobs Bill)
A portion of local Maternal Child Health Jobs Bill funds have been utilized
in a demonstration project in dental hygiene for early school-age Hispanic
children. An intensive dental health educational program for kindergarten,
first and second grades at Helbing Elementary School resulted in improved
knowledge of dental care and decreased dental plaque. Instruction was bi-
lingual.
Students improved test scores (pre- and post-test) from 60% to 76% over-.
all. In addition, an examination for dental plaque (a measure of correct
brushing and flossing techniques) was done before and after the instruc-
tion. Marked improvement was shown in all classes. For example, among
kindergartners, scores dropped from 86 to 26; in second graders, scores
dropped from 58 to 23.
During the fall of 1984, a follow-up study will be performed with these
.- same students to determine long-term .effects. Methods verified in this
demonstration can be used in similar preventive dental programs for school-
age children.
Corrtunity Health Centers Block Grant
The City received funds through the Camlunity Health Centers Block Grant
program. These funds are used to improve the service and increase the
staff of the Neighborhood Health Horizons Program. The Neighborhood Health
Horizons, a privately funded clinic, has served the primary care needs of
the Poly sector since August, 1983.
Positions funded include two visiting public health nurses, one social ser-
vice specialist, and one licensed vocational nurse. The two nurses and
social worker served 641 individuals in over 1,100 medical encounters be-
tween November (start date), 1983 and June, 1984. Home visits are pri-
marily to pre-natal and pediatric cases. The social service specialist
evaluates patient eligibility for clinic services and for Medicaid, Food
Stamps, Tarrant County Hospital District, and emergency assistance.
Refugee Health Screening
Since February of 1984, refugee immigrants locating in the Fort Worth area
have received a health screening and referral service. These activities
are supported by a grant frcm the Texas Department of Health. Two aides
(Vietnamese, Cambodian) have worked with the Tuberculosis Control staff to
screen newly-arrived refugees, with particular emphasis on skin testing for
tuberculosis, intestinal parasites, hepatitis, nutritional disorders and
dental disease. Referrals are made to other public health clinics (such as
WIC, dental) and other agencies.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS �—
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6968 - U. 2
Nip TEA, 18, 1984
1 yp/f"R EA,}R(T, To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
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Subject: PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIAL PROJECTS
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Persons screened by nationality:
Vietnam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Cambodia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Laos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Other.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
TOTAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273
Persons screened by age:
0 - 5 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
6 - 18 years. . . . . . . . . . . . .102
19 + years. . . . . . .. . . . . .123
Findings (positive):
Tuberculosis, active. . . . . . 6
Tuberculosis, prevention. . 77
Parasites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Hepatitis B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Low-Cost Dentures (Neighborhood Resource Development Program)
The Neighborhood Resources Development Program Advisory Council has subsi-
dized start-up cost of the low-cost denture service for elderly citizens
with the intent that the program become self-sustaining in the future. Al-
though the first full year of operation is not yet ccnplete, preliminary
information is available.
To date, 176 persons have been examined in the denture clinic. Sixty-seven
patients have been fitted with ccmplete dentures, most of which have paid
$250 for the service.
If costs for the first screening examination are not included, the cost per
set of dentures is projected at about $236 (final figures will be ready in
November). This should allow for a near-self-sustaining program, with a
subsidy for the screening and proper selection of patients. The individual
charge, however, appears to be appropriate.
The NRDP budget for 1984/5 is proposed to include continuation of the low-
cost denture program.
If additional information is required, it will be furnished upon request.
ftbert L. Herchert
City Manager
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS --