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Public Health Programs

COG's Public Health Programs seek to advance the broader understanding of regional public health issues and helps meet the public health needs of member local governments and their residents.

Current Public Health activities include partnership with the Health Officials Committee, which is composed of directors and physicians from the region's public health departments, to improve the region's health and emergency preparedness.

The Health Officials Committee currently oversees the following subcommittees:

Public Health Emergency Planners Subcommittee
Obesity Workgroup
HIV Committee
TB Committee
RESF 8 Health and Medical emergency preparedness

The Public Health Emergency Planners Subcommittee facilitates the development of public health emergency preparedness and response plans amongst the jurisdictions in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Obesity Workgroup was formed to focus on the obesity prevention efforts of the 23 local jurisdictions. The Obesity workgroup takes an interdisciplinary approach by including stakeholders in public health, public works, transportation, parks and recreation, public safety, planning, economic development, and housing.

The HIV Committee was developed as a result of feedback from the 2011 Regional HIV/AIDS forum held by MWCOG. The purpose of the subcommittee is to create a coordinated regional framework to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the National Capitol Region by means of regional partnership.

The TB Committee coordinates Tuberculosis treatment programs across the region to ensure that clients receive continuous services and are able to adhere to treatment regimen when they change jurisdiction of residence.

The Regional Emergency Support Function 8, Health and Medical Services, Subcommittee advises the Health Officials Committee and other emergency preparedness committees on emergency preparedness coordination, communication, planning, and funding in the health arena.

Additionally, COG currently oversees and is involved in the following Public Health programs:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse subcommittee is currently in development with the aim of promoting regional collaboration on issues related to individuals with substance abuse/mental health disorders. The subcommittee also serves to create an information sharing environment which enables a well-informed substance abuse/mental health community with representation from each jurisdiction.

The 2011 Regional HIV/AIDS forum partnered with multiple stakeholders from various sectors in the region to discuss the issues of HIV/AIDS, which began the first collaborative steps towards developing an HIV Committee to address the issue.

2011 Regional HIV/AIDS Forum

The Metropolitan Washington Gang Conference, a multi-disciplinary conference held September 24 - 27 2012 to address gang trends in the National Capitol Region, and to provide a forum to discuss prevention, and recovery.

2012 Gang Conference Save the Date

Health and Wellness Activities at COG including regular health seminars on issues including physical activity, yoga, and nutrition and healthy food choices. Additionally, there are quarterly health newsletters that provide relevant seasonal health information and yearly health weeks and health fairs for employees that provide week-long information sessions and health resources.

June 2012 Yoga Invite

Involvement in Region Forward, the project with the vision for a more accessible, sustainable, prosperous, and livable National Capitol Region.

Program Contacts

A. Chevelle Glymph Chief H&SA Programs 202 962 3266

Carla Sanchez Health Planner II 202 962 3707

Benika Dixon Health Planner I 202 962 3775

METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

777 North Capitol Street, NE • Suite 300 • Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202.962.3200 • Fax: 202.962.3201