Lancaster, PA (September 26, 2007) – In a quest to educate county residents about public health, the Partnership for a County Public Health Department will host two public forums – “How Does the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Deliver Health Services in Lancaster County?” and “What are the Public Health Concerns in Lancaster County?” – during the month of October. Both events will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Eden Resort Inn in Lancaster. No RSVP or advance registration is required.

On Wednesday October 10, at a forum titled “How Does the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Deliver Health Services in Lancaster County?” Michael Huff and Dr. Veronica Urdaneta from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as well as representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, will discuss the services currently provided by state agencies and explain how these services would be enhanced by a local public health department.

On Wednesday October 24, at a forum titled “What are the Public Health Concerns in Lancaster County?” a panel of local health care providers and agricultural and environmental experts will talk about local public health issues, such as lead levels, infectious diseases, immunizations, screenings, maternal-child health, water contamination and air pollution, and describe how these concerns would be effectively addressed by a county public health department.

The October forums are part of the Partnership for a County Public Health Department’s push to build awareness among Lancaster residents about the concept of public health and the need for local efforts aimed at the issue. This campaign is driven by the results of a feasibility study conducted by the Drexel University School of Public Health released in Spring 2005.

The Drexel study identified significant gaps in the coordination of public health services in Lancaster County, including environmental hazards such as water quality and lead exposure, solid waste management and vector control, as well as emergency preparedness and coordination. The study also indicated that a public health department in Lancaster County could coordinate public health-related activities throughout the county, collect and maintain information on public health-related activities and monitor the health status of the population, and be the go-to place for residents with public health related concerns.”

For more information please contact Hilda Shirk, Project Manager, Partnership for a County Public Health Department at 717.572.8268 or Hilda@dejazzd.com.”