Denver Environmental Health. Annual Report Building Healthy Communities

Transcription

1 Denver Environmental Health Annual Report 2015 Building Healthy Communities

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3 Healthy People Healthy Places Healthy Pets Healthy Communities Healthy Environment Healthy Planet

4 FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I am pleased to present the Denver Environmental Health 2015 Annual Report. This report provides an overview of our programs and services that protect and promote the health of our residents, and highlights important public health and environmental issues that help guide our work to ensure a healthy community for Denver. In 2015, significant progress was made on a number of efforts designed to move the needle on public and environmental health needs in Denver. In our Public Health Inspections Division, the year began by launching the Partners in Food Safety (PFS) industry recognition program, an effort to recognize the facilities that consistently achieve the highest standards of food safety. Awarded to less than 2 percent of regulated facilities, the PFS program engages and rewards facilities for making systematic changes that improve public health in Denver. Our Office of the Medical Examiner was re-accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners after a year-long evaluation process. As one of only four counties in the state to earn the accreditation, the achievement further reinforced Denver s reputation as a leader in providing high-quality, accurate death investigations. In March, we joined our partner Denver Public Health in celebrating the achievement of one of our Community Health Improvement Plan goals with the announcement that 94 percent of Denver residents now have health insurance, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The achievement was one of two primary goals set in the 2013 plan. At the Denver Animal Shelter, we launched a new foster care program, further supporting our mission of being a community resource and working to increase our live-release rate. By year-end, our Environmental Quality Division released the long-awaited Climate Action Plan. An update from the original plan first released in 2008, in the new Climate Action Plan, Denver committed to taking aggressive action to meet bold new 2050 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals, in addition to the previously set 2020 goals. This new plan sets Denver at the forefront of efforts to address climate change by creating strategies to target the largest sources of emissions commercial energy use, transportation and land use. As we look forward to 2016, we see endless opportunities to continue our commitment to partnerships and community collaboration. Sincerely, Bob McDonald Executive Director City & County of Denver, Department of Environmental Health Doug Linkhart

5 HEALTHY PEOPLE Denver Environmental Health works collaboratively to ensure the health and welfare of those who live and work in Denver by offering programs that improve and protect the health of Denver residents. About Community Health The Community Health Division (CH) manages programs and promotes policies designed to provide Denver residents with the resources, education and support to be healthy. CH works to make progress on national Healthy People 2020 goals by blending partnerships and best practices to improve quality of life. CH also manages Denver s tobacco legislation and enforcement, the Healthy Cornerstore Initiative, and ensures an efficient system of care that improves access for people living with HIV/ AIDS through the Denver Office of HIV Resources. In partnership with Denver Public Health, CH uses evidence-based public health practices to develop, measure and achieve goals and objectives in the Community Health BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY, 2015 Improvement Plan. As administrators of the Safe Routes to School program, CH engages stakeholders in employing strategies to improve health and accessibility to allow children to safely walk and bicycle to school. To ensure health considerations are fully integrated into the neighborhood planning process, CH works with Community Planning and Development and the community to conduct both citywide and neighborhood level health impact assessments ACHIEVEMENTS Launched the Community Active Living Coalition, recruiting more than 120 volunteers so far in 38 Denver neighborhoods to collect data and support Denver s effort to improve healthy, active living and mobility. Conducted 21 WalkShop assessments to evaluate walking, biking, and transit conditions near schools and recreation centers. Doubled the number of schools participating in Bike to School Day over Worked with City Council to update Chapter 24, expanding the department s authority over the regulation of all tobacco/nicotine products. Supported Denver s Executive Order 99, to ban electronic cigarette use in all municipal buildings. Purchased and distributed 36 bike racks to seven Denver area schools. Received a $30,000 grant to study public health impacts of climate change. Successfully established priority health care and support services for people living with HIV and allocating resources to these services. A critical component of these discussions were the continued impact of the Affordable Care Act and how to use Ryan White funds to wrap around other private and public funds for health care and support services. Expanded Healthy Cornerstore Program to include 15 stores. Supported the development of the City Food City Land policy advisory to increase the amount of City land used for urban agriculture through the Sustainable Food Policy Committee. Collaborated with Office of Economic Development to submit an Environmental Capital Fund application to support the development and implementation of the City s Food Vision. Oversaw the recruitment, on-boarding, training and mentoring of ten new Planning Council members, six of the 10 are people living with HIV. Building Healthy Communities 2

6 HEALTHY PEOPLE About the Office of the Medical Examiner The Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) is responsible for investigating deaths that occur suddenly and unexpectedly, by any unnatural or traumatic means, or under suspicious circumstances. OME also engages in community outreach and education to enable health professionals and law enforcement officials to better understand mechanisms of trauma and sudden death. This information is used in a wide variety of applications from criminal and legal proceedings, to insurance claims, product safety recalls and in creating and evaluating public health policy. OME staff provides health education and outreach on issues such as suicide, homelessness, chronic disease prevention and other concerns impacting Denver residents Autopsy Report Turn Around Times by % Completed 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% <30 days days days >90 days <30 days, 72% days, 21% days, 5% >90 days, 1% 2015 ACHIEVEMENTS Achieved best autopsy report turn-around times from the past two years with 73% of cases being completed from the initial notification to the final autopsy report in less than 30 days. Performed 653 autopsies, 280 external examinations and 175 chart reviews. Investigated 854 death scenes. Worked on 1,108 cases. Building Healthy Communities 3

7 HEALTHY PEOPLE Denver Environmental Health works collaboratively to ensure the health and safety of Denver s regulated establishments by conducting inspections, education and enforcement of the city s public and environmental health-related ordinances. About Public Health Inspections The Public Health Inspections (PHI) Division is responsible for protecting Denver s health and safety by ensuring that food service establishments, marijuana-infused product manufacturers, child care facilities, residential health, noise, lead, emergency vehicles, body art establishments, boarding homes, and pools are in compliance with the respective health and safety laws. This includes inspecting more than 7,000 licensed and regulated facilities in Denver each year. PHI also investigates complaints regarding foodborne illness, residential health and housing concerns, noise, and is involved in the licensing of marijuana dispensaries and infused products manufacturing. Through PHI s Healthy Families, Healthy Homes Program, PHI provides education and technical assistance in lead poisoning prevention, radon, mold and other household concerns ACHIEVEMENTS Public Health Inspections Average Complaint Response Time (Hours) Completed 1,155 child care inspections of regulated facilities. Implemented Colorado Shines, embedding quality into the childcare inspection process. Increased unannounced childcare inspection visits from every two years to annually to improve safety in childcare centers. Completed a pilot program in six licensed childcare programs to train and educate providers on healthy eating and active living. Completed 665 pool inspections, 516 re-inspections. Trained all city park rangers on how to take noise readings at special events, added new staff to assist with monitoring of special events. Provided technical and regulatory assistance, education and training to more than 150 special events. Wrote more than 80 noise reviews, monitored 75 events. Issued $27,000 in administrative fines for violations of the noise ordinance. Conducted 8,334 food inspections, investigated 463 general food safety complaints investigated,173 foodborne illness complaints, and eight outbreaks. Assisted non-compliant facilities in significantly improving violation rates from 2.69 violations/inspection in 2014 to 2.27 in Launched Partners in Food Safety, an industry recognition program to recognize facilities with high levels of compliance. Required all investigators who work for the agency for more than a year to become Certified Professionals in Food Safety (CP-FS). Implemented a mobile plan review process to help address noncompliant equipment trends in food trucks. Presented information food safety in the marijuana industry at eight national conferences. Established clear investigation, recall, and safety procedures of marijuana-infused products. Conducted more than 600 food safety inspections of marijuana businesses. Conducted 47 pesticide residue contamination investigations of marijuana-infused products. Conducted 16 product recalls due to contamination of marijuana-infused products. Building Healthy Communities 4

8 HEALTHY PETS Denver Environmental Health works collaboratively with the community and animal welfare organizations to protect the health and safety of residents, and their pets. About Denver Animal Shelter The Denver Animal Protection (DAP) Division is responsible for providing humane education and enforcement of the city s animal-related ordnances. This includes responding to more than 20,000 calls annually regarding lost, abandoned, or injured pets, and investigating complaints regarding cruelty, dog bites, and other human and animal-related conflicts. DAP is also responsible for providing care, pet adoptions, pet vaccinations and licensing for more than 7,500 animals annually through Denver s municipal shelter, the Denver Animal Shelter. Return to Owner Percentage % 30% 30.22% 29% 29.31% 28% - 27% 26% 25% 25.43% 24% 23% ACHIEVEMENTS Provided 20 public presentations, reaching 865 students, 60 teachers and members of the 80 public schools. Participated in 25 public events, with an approximate event reach of more than 228,000 people. Participated in three national night out events that reached nearly 2,000 residents in target neighborhoods. Returned 30 percent of lost animals to their owners. Launched a retail store to offer pet-owners a onestop shop for supplies. Adopted 1,323 dogs, 644 cats and 78 other animals into new homes. Vaccinated 6,007 animals through the shelter s weekly low-cost vacations clinics. Launched a foster a foster care program to expand capacity and provide care for additional pets in a home environment. Responded to 20,943 calls for service in Animal Protection. Raised $162,082 in donations, fundraisers and grants. Building Healthy Communities 5

9 HEALTHY PLANET AND ENVIRONMENT Denver Environmental Health works to ensure a healthy, sustainable environment by collaborating with the community to provide environmental oversight, education and outreach to protect the planet for future generations. About Environmental Quality * Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Per Capita) Target per capita emissions if 2020 Goal is achieved = Metric tons CO2 per capita The Environmental Quality (EQ) Division protects Denver s environment by providing assessment, regulatory compliance, technical assistance, environmental education, and stewardship for a healthy planet. EQ s manages Denver s air quality, water quality, site assessment and cleanup of land, solid/ hazardous waste, and promotes programs that support low-carbon transportation, business and residential energy efficiency, and neighborhood sustainability. EQ also plays a key role in managing Denver s emergency preparedness and response and the city s efforts to ensure internal compliance with environmental and safety guidelines at city facilities ACHIEVEMENTS Released an updated Climate Action Plan with a new, bold 2050 goal to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions 80% from 2005 levels. Launched the Lease for Efficiency Challenge, which asks business tenants to commit to asking about the energy efficiency of a building during the leasing process. Celebrated 109 buildings that have joined the Denver City Energy Project Benchmarking Program. Awarded $400,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for air pollution monitoring near Swansea Elementary in Announced Energize Denver initiative, which aims to improve the energy efficiency of commercial and multifamily buildings in Denver by 10% by the end of 2020 and double that in the following decade. Completed a future air quality hot spot assessment (year 2035) as a companion project to the I-70 Environmental Impact Assessment. Findings show air quality is forecast to improve dramatically from today despite growth Awarded a $400,000 Brownfields redevelopment grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for the South Platte River corridor. Partnered with the Colorado Department of Transportation to secure five years of funding to do air pollution monitoring before, during, and after the construction of I-70. Completed 1,055 environmental site assessments and reviews. Tracked 276 targets in Annual Plans from 27 departments and 2 Independent Cultural Facilities, with an overall completion/in progress rate of 92% through our Environmental Management System. Certified 47 businesses and provided technical assistance to another 146 through Certifiably Green Denver program, conserving 27 million kilowatt hours (kwh; electric), more than 250,000 therms (gas), and 4 million gallons of water each year. Added three more neighborhoods to the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program: Baker, Montclair/E. Colfax and Green Valley Ranch to achieve a total of eight. First three neighborhoods have reached Sustainable Neighborhood status. Building Healt hy Commun it ies 6

10 EXPENDITURES $705,541 $2,875,611 $6,911,377 $3,672,904 $1,266,114 $2,839,376 Public Health Inspections Office of the Medical Examiner Community Health Denver Animal Protection Executive Director s Office Environmental Quality Building Healthy Communities 7

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12 DENVER ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Executive Director s Office Community Health Public Health Inspections Environmental Quality 200 W. 14th Ave., Denver, CO denvergov.org/deh Denver Animal Shelter Office of the Medical Examiner 1241 W. Bayaud Ave., Denver, CO Bannock St., Denver, CO 80204