One of the primary jobs of public health is to identify the biggest health problems facing the population and develop strategies to educate and prevent those problems from causing harm. We have a different perspective than medicine.

Healthcare plays an important role in addressing the health of each individual. Public health looks at the whole community and works with partners to put systems in place so everyone has access to resources that improve their health.

Looking ahead, here are three key issues the Maricopa County Department of Public Health is addressing to improve the well-being of residents and visitors to our beautiful (and hot) county.

Heat is a concern all year round.

All heat-related deaths are preventable.

Again, all heat-related deaths are preventable. Since 2016, we have set an annual record for the number of heat-related deaths every year. 2023 has already surpassed last year's tragic numbers, the investigation is not yet complete. That doesn't have to happen.

What many people don't realize is that the Maricopa County Public Health Department has been working with partners across the county for almost 20 years in a collaboration called the Heat Mitigation Network. The network includes more than 200 hydration stations, cooling facilities and rest centers for everyone to cool off. When it's hot, turn it off in an air-conditioned space. Local governments, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, universities and public health have been working together to make these life-saving resources available to the public and assess whether people know where they are and how to access them. Ta. In fact, in August we surveyed more than 1,500 residents who do and do not visit cooling centers to find out what can be done to increase access to this critical system. The we.

MCDPH is also hiring a Cooling Center Coordinator to help public health officials focus on network sustainability and incorporate heatstroke mortality surveillance data that Public Health and the Medical Examiner's Office collect and analyze annually.

Heat requires a holistic view of people and communities. Among the many factors that can contribute to hospitalization and death from heatstroke include:

• The temperature at night is high and it is difficult to recover even at night.
• homelessness and affordable housing
• expensive utility bills
• Substance use, prevention and treatment
• Chronic diseases and access to care to manage them

There are many other factors in this equation, and we don't have all the answers. That's why we work closely with our partners throughout the year to find new creative solutions and seek funding to test new ideas and implement proven strategies.

Respiratory illnesses pack a punch, but they don't have to.

Last winter we heard a lot about: “Triple epidemic” of new coronavirus, influenza, and RSV (RS virus). Although we don't have as much information this year and local case numbers for all three diseases are still low, now is the time to take action to keep the numbers low.

Vaccines reduce the rate of infection and reduce the severity of infection in those who become infected. This will reduce the strain on our healthcare system, reduce sick leave for employees and students, and allow us all to continue with our daily lives.

But let's make this more specific. Two of the three respiratory illnesses we see each fall and winter have been around for decades, and we have data to show their impact.

• RSV can be transmitted not only to children but also to adults.
  • Older adults are one of the groups most at risk for severe illness from RSV.
  • RSV causes 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000 to 10,000 deaths among adults age 65 and older each year.
• It's not “just the flu.”
  • The CDC estimates that between 9 million and 41 million cases of influenza occur each year.
  • Influenza is estimated to cause 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 to 52,000 deaths each year.

By encouraging those most at risk and those around them, including friends, family and colleagues, to get vaccinated, we can prevent the most serious consequences of preventable diseases. It can also reduce the burden on the medical system, allowing it to address other medical issues.

Substance use is a constantly evolving challenge.

Over the past decade, drug overdose death rates have nearly tripled in Maricopa County, affecting people of all ages and walks of life.

Thankfully, Maricopa County has many dedicated and experienced organizations working to provide preventive and life-saving treatment. We work closely with them to Identify areas of need and make smart investments With funds from the opioid settlement.

But the first step is to fight prejudice. By respecting the values ​​of each person in our community, we can provide non-judgmental support. This includes raising awareness of how addiction works and why it is similar to other chronic diseases such as diabetes. Benefits of harm reductionThen we move from blame and shame to respect and support.

In summary, there is a lot of work to be done.

All three of these issues intersect, as do many other health concerns affecting Maricopa County residents. Improving the health of residents and visitors requires collaboration at all levels, from individuals to organizations to thought leaders.

There are some simple things we can all do.

• Check on your neighbors. Make sure you have enough water, the air conditioning is working, and that you have everything you need.
• For information on vaccines to prevent fall respiratory illnesses, search Maricopa.gov/fallWinter.
• Call your local 2-1-1 or the national helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to be connected to support and substance use treatment options.

Dr. Rebecca Sunenschein, FIDSA, is the medical director for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.