Every citizen in Snohomish County receives services from the Snohomish Health District, whether they realize it or not. Although not flashy and exciting, they keep our community safe from food borne illnesses when they monitor the restaurants and food trucks; they help to prevent and treat infectious diseases; and they have staff that are well trained and practiced in working with vulnerable populations that need extra care when it come to prenatal care, parenting and nurturing skills, vaccinations and mental health assistance.
However, year after year, the Snohomish Health District must plead its case as to why these programs are essential to the overall health of our community to elected officials. I strongly urge every mayor in Snohomish County, as well as the Snohomish County Council, to understand that we must invest in public health. No cities or towns contribute financially to the overall Health District budget, but yet positively benefit from our public health programs.
The state may not require that the Snohomish Health District solely be responsible for managing programs such as First Steps, which is designed to promote healthy birth outcomes, increase access to early prenatal care, and reduce infant morbidity and mortality. Proposed budget cuts to First Steps by the Snohomish County executive would impact the lives of these families in ways that could be profoundly felt for generations. What does this say about our community when we do not rise up and truly support the 3,700 at-risk mothers and children in our own county? We must speak up. Even programs that are mandated by the state, such as infection control, what will our capacity and compassion be if we do not fully fund programs with experienced, knowledgeable staff if an outbreak does occur?
It seems to me, we have taken public health for granted but it is not too late to turn the ship around. You are public health! Call your mayor and the Snohomish County Council and encourage them to invest in a strong public health system for all of us.
Teresa L. Rugg, MPH
Snohomish
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