Why do I have to go to Public Health?

  • Published
  • By Maj. James Chisolm
  • 97th Medical Group
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  "Why do I have to go to Public Health ... I don't have a sexually transmitted disease?" Because this statement has been heard so often since the new AFI 48-123 came out this year, four of the 97th Medical Group Public Health Section's airmen jumped at the opportunity to share who they are and what they do.

Public health consists of deployment health, community health, and force health management of the entire populace of the base, yet is seldom heard of. Public health touches your life everyday through inspecting the food you eat, the water you drink, and the air you breathe

The Altus AFB headlines you've never seen are "Salmonella rampant - Eat elsewhere!" or "Unknown illness cripples base," and the 97th MDG's Public Health's Community Health Section is determined you never will.

Deployees fill out health forms and when they return home yet another. The information public health compiles from these forms is used to identify illness and injury trends. In turn that information is returned to planners and medics in theater as needed.
When prevention fails, public health worker become private investigators. They gather information and trace origins of illnesses such at tuberculosis, sexual transmitted illness, and food borne illnesses

When going TDY, deploying, or PCSing, immunizations, profile needs, and hearing tests are verified and cleared through a singled visit to public.

Force Health Management or Occupational Health is responsible for the working force;" Senior Airman Jennifer Jacobson said. "This is where appointments pertaining to audiograms, follow-ups, shop visits, and AF 190 interviews are done. The shop education for employees' annual training is maintained by this section and the fetal protection program is housed here." The fetal protection program ensures that expectant mothers are aware of hazards to themselves and their baby. Profiles are created and updated modified for expectant mothers

Deploying? If you answer yes, then you will meet SrA Richard Jacobson and Airman 1st Class Lauren Dillon in the Deployment Medicine section. They review and medically clear every individual leaving for a deployment, gather medical intelligence and brief all deployers. Upon return, the deployment health section will in-process, review documentation from the deployed location, and arrange appointments for any condition that might have surfaced in the deployed location.

Post Deployment Health Reassessment is a new program that the Air Force has implemented for those returning from a deployed location. It provides information on medical conditions that have surfaced after returning to the regular work routine and normal family life.

Community health journeyman A1C Jamilah Garrett works with the tuberculosis prevention program, sexually transmitted infection surveillance, food safety sanitation, and medical entomology.

"Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that commonly attacks the lungs," Airman Garrett said. "Symptoms include chronic, productive cough, fatigue, and night sweats. TB is spread through the air in tiny droplets expelled by coughing, sneezing, etc. There is a "TB skin test" that shows when someone has been exposed to TB." A positive test does not mean the person is sick or contagious, but they may be in risk of developing the disease, called "Active TB." There is a treatment, called INH that can destroy the bacteria.

"Our responsibility is to educate about disease side effects and the importance of INH compliance and make sure members receive TB skin testing when required," said Airman Garrett.

The term Sexually Transmitted Infection is a general term, which includes many different infections, spread from person to person through sexual contact. Some of the more common or better-known STIs are Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis and HIV or AIDS. Many STIs are easily treated but there is no cure for HIV, the cause of AIDS, which is usually fatal.

"Early detection is a must," said A1C Lauren Smith. "Make an appointment to see your Primary Care Manager whenever you have symptoms such unusual urine discharge, burning during urination, or sores in the oral or genital area. Our role in STI prevention is to educate sexually active individuals on preventive methods. Condoms are available at no cost.

"Public health is responsible for the safety of food at Altus AFB," said. SrA Richard Jacobson. "We provide training to food facility supervisors and receiving personnel on how to recognize safe food and we evaluate food items returned by commissary patrons." Stored food rations are also inspected by public health.

Organizations conducting bake sales must first be approved by public health. Only certain types of foods are allowed - no home-cooked, potentially hazardous foods.

Family day care homes, the Youth Center and the Child Development Center are inspected for sanitary standards, and public facilities including the fitness center, swimming pools, barber and beauty shops.

Medical entomology analyzes potential disease threats posed by insects and other creatures. Light traps are set to collect mosquitoes. Based on the species of mosquito, diseases are identified that could thrive in the area and preventive measures such as elimination of breeding areas or using insecticides.

For more information, call 481-5359, or visit the clinic at 301 N. First St., Altus AFB, Okla.