Health and Hospital Committee Meeting of Cook County Board

Cook County Board of Directors Committee Meetings
Health & Hospital Committee
November 2, 2021

Cook County Department of Public Health [CCDPH]:

• Public Health officials gave their monthly update on Covid-19 status and issues.  They reported that 98% of the CC Care Team has been vaccinated, and they are in the midst of preparing for the rollout of the Pfizer vaccinations for 5-11 year olds. Frontline efforts will be at schools and medical providers’ offices. CCDPH has established between 150-200 partners to give vaccinations.  CVS, Walgreens, and the smaller federally funded Health Centers are among that number.
• The Health Department is beginning to incorporate the census 2020 data into its Covid data – they now have 2020 census data on population by race and ethnicity and reported that with this incorporation, case rates for whites have increased, Hispanics has decreased, and there is no change for the African American community.  
• The State has agreed to extend its county grant for contact tracing into 2022.
• When asked about the reason that the undocumented have a hesitancy to take the vaccine, the answers given was:  1. No health care provider 2. Many are very young and didn’t qualify initially  

Mental Health Initiatives/Statistics - Quarterly Reports from Cook County Offices

• The Cook County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution a number of months ago requiring that all County offices dealing with mental health patients, detainees, etc. provide a quarterly report on their actions and activities regarding mental health services. 
• Eight offices provided their quarterly report at this meeting. Those reporting were: CC Health, CC Department of Public Health, Cermac Health Center, Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, Sheriff’s Office, Chief Judges Office, Office of Veterans Affairs, State's Attorney Office. and the Office of the Public Defender.
• One provided a verbal report. There does not appear to be a standard format for providing information the board is interested in receiving.  However, the program is new
• Not all of the offices provide mental health services.  For example, the Public Defender’s office provides information to their lawyers for their clients.  Others are referral only.

Observer:  Diane Edmundson