Board focuses on school health, newborn screening - 10/10/05

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For immediate release: October 10, 2005

Contact:
Lonnie Peterson, State Board of Health, (360) 236-4108

Board focuses on school health, newborn screening
Wednesday, October 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Yakima Convention Center, 10 North 8^th Street, Yakima

At its meeting Wednesday, October 12 in Yakima, the State Board of Health will discuss efforts to revise its school environmental health rule. Last November, at the Board’s request, the Washington State Department of Health convened an advisory committee to recommend improvements to the rule, which establishes health and safety standards for public and private schools. The committee met through July. DOH will update the Board about the committee process, major topics the group considered, and the next steps that DOH is proposing.

The Board will consider an advisory committee’s recommendation that it revise the newborn screening rule in order to mandate screening for cystic fibrosis. In Washington, about 25 children are expected to be born with cystic fibrosis each year. Because of a defective protein, their bodies produce a thick mucous that interferes with their lungs and digestive systems. The Board will also discuss national recommendations that all states require screening for 29 conditions, 16 of which are not currently required or being considered in Washington State.

The Board will hear proposals from its policy committees about possible initiatives the Board may wish to pursue in the next two years. The meeting will be held in the conjunction with the Joint Conference on Health held by the Washington State Public Health Association October 10–12. Copies of the agenda and related materials are available by contacting the Board of Health at 360-236-4110 or by visiting the Board’s Web site at http://www.sboh.wa.gov. The emergency and press contact number for the Board during the meeting is 360-701-2398.

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The State Board of Health serves the citizens of Washington by working to understand and prevent disease across the entire population. Established in 1889 by the State Constitution, the Board provides leadership by suggesting public health policies and actions, by regulating certain activities, and by providing a public forum. The Governor appoints ten members who fill three-year terms. Visit the Board’s Web site at http://www.sboh.wa.gov.

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