BOARD OF HEALTH RECEIVES BRIEFINGS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF RAND STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS, COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS; UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CAPITAL REGION HEALTH PROVIDES UPDATES
The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the Board of Health on Tuesday, October 26th, 2021, received detailed briefings on the Proposed Implementation of the Rand Study Recommendations; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – 2021 County Health Rankings; and Social Detriments of Health and Health Equity. The University of Maryland Capital Region Health also presented to the Board of Health.
Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, says Board of Health briefings are even more important now, as the Council continues its critical work with the County to address health disparities and the long-term impacts of COVID-19.
“This pandemic has transformed how we as policymakers address access to quality healthcare in our communities. As the Council considers future policies, plans, funding and resources to improve health outcomes, a fuller understanding of the current and future health and human service needs of our communities is needed. These briefings provide the tools and information we need in our service to County residents.”
The briefing presented by Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services & Education, George L. Askew, MD, focused on the proposed implementation of the Rand Study Recommendations and Health Department implementation. The RAND study reflects the "Health-in-All-Policies “approach embraced by the Board of Health, examining more closely how factors including education, economy, transportation, environment, social service delivery and chronic stress impact the health and wellbeing of County residents and communities, and how to improve outcomes.
University of Maryland Capital Region Health (UMCRH) principals, led by President and CEO Nathaniel Richardson, updated the UMCRH Strategic Plan, and provided an organizational update that included an overview of the new hospital opening, community health programs, patient quality, service excellence initiatives and COVID-19 response, in the presentation to the Board of Health.
Board of Health Consultant Yolandra Hancock, MD, MPH, provided a briefing update on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2021 Health Care Rankings for Prince George’s County. Dr. Hancock and Board of Health Consultant, Terrence M. Fullum, MD, MBA, also presented a briefing on the Social Detriments of Health and Health Equity in the County.
Under state law, the County Council sitting as the Board of Health, must meet at least semi-annually during May and October. In practice, it meets more often to consider various matters of health policy. Board of Health sessions are available for Live and On-Demand viewing HERE. To review meeting agendas in their entirety, click HERE.
