ANNUAL REPORT 2011 KITSAP PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT

THE NEW RO
PREVENTION IS PUBLIC HEALTH
2011 was another down year for the economy. To us in public health,
that means even greater stresses on the health of our community. That’s
because economic and social conditions are the true drivers of health.
Research shows that social conditions – the jobs we do, the schools we
attend, the neighborhoods we live in – are as important to our health as
our genes, our behaviors, and even our medical care.
Public health has made great strides in combating infectious diseases
and improving sanitation, but we’re increasingly dying early from
preventable causes following years of illness and disability. Chronic
diseases such as diabetes and heart disease --- resulting from tobacco
use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and other underlying causes --- are
not only cutting lives short, they are also greatly increasing our medical
spending. We can do better.
Health will improve most by preventing disease in the first place
rather than treating it after it’s occurred. This is the theme of public
health.
“Health will
improve most
by preventing
disease in the
first place
rather than
treating it after
it’s occurred.”
To respond, we must build a public health system that recognizes
health disparities, helps people adopt healthy behaviors, and assists
organizations and communities in encouraging healthier lifestyles. It also
requires that we help decision makers implement policies based on the
best available evidence to improve the conditions in which we all live.
As discussed in this report, our Strategic Plan and the Kitsap
Community Health Priorities Plan, both completed in 2011, address
these new realities and strive to improve age-old public health
responsibilities. The future identified in these plans requires that we use
our limited resources more efficiently and effectively. It also requires
that we forge new partnerships, and use technology smarter. By doing
this, we can shape a more effective public health system, and improve the
health of everyone in Kitsap County.
I would like to extend a sincere thank-you to all our staff at the Kitsap
Public Health District for their hard work on strategic planning and the
establishment of Kitsap County Health Priorities. The dedication of our
staff in this time of change has been an inspiration for me. I sometimes
hear less than favorable comments about public workers, but having
worked in both private practice and public health, I have never seen
people work as hard as the staff of the Kitsap Public Health District.
Sincerely,
Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH
Director of Health