Logan County Health Commissioner Travis Irvan expressed appreciation to the community and his staff at the Logan County Health District for their role in assisting with the leadership transition in the agency’s recently released 2021 annual report.
“Anytime a local health department brings in a new Health Commissioner, you can expect some challenges,” said Irvan, who assumed the role Aug. 30 following the retirement of Dr. Boyd Hoddinott from the position.
“And doing so in the midst of a pandemic can easily create a whirlwind of issues, and that is why I cannot speak highly enough of not only the staff at the Logan County Health District, but the numerous community partners we work with.
“Our staff has done a tremendous job adjusting to new leadership along with the ever-changing COVID-19 landscape.”
Throughout 2021, Irvan said staff members continued with increased duties due to COVID-19, including case investigation, contact tracing, grant management, distributing thousands of COVID-19 test kits and providing vaccines.
“We have continued to work with numerous partners throughout the pandemic, including schools, daycares, long-term care facilities to name a few, and provided the latest, science-based guidance on how to keep the community safe and healthy. “
With the increased workloads, the health commissioner said agency volunteers were essential in keeping operations running.
“To put it simply, there is no way we could have managed all our COVID-19 activities without our dedicated volunteers being so willing to assist us. “
While continuing to monitor the virus, Irvan stressed that “our agency does much more than just work in COVID-19” and highlighted projects taking place this year. He said environmental health staff are continuing to roll out our Operation and Maintenance program throughout the county to ensure septic systems are working properly.
The agency recently hired a health educator to provide programming in the community, and also hired an epidemiologist to keep track of the latest disease trends and prevention strategies.
In addition, the Environmental Health Division continues to offer the Water Pollution Control Fund, which can provide a free septic system to low to moderate income property owners who qualify and who have a failed system. For the 2020-2021, a total of $116, 530.91 was spent to repair or replace failed septic systems in the county through the fund granted by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Staff in the Environmental Health Division also can provide private and public well water testing.
The annual report also notes that the Women Infants and Children Program has recently moved to a new location at 1 Hunter Place to share a building with Logan County Job & Family Services. Current WIC participants can choose to have either in-person appointments or appointments over the phone.
Breastfeeding peer support is provided through WIC and breastfeeding initiation rates are at 79 percent. Breastfeeding rates at one-month post-postpartum are reported at 59 percent.
For the 2021 vital statistics record for Logan County, the agency reports that 253 births occurred in the county last year, and 287 births of county residents also occurred elsewhere in the state.
Hospital births totaled 517 and 23 home births were recorded. Among the newborns, 247 were females and 294 were males. Five sets of twins also were recorded.
Ember was reported as the most common name for baby girls in Logan County in 2021, and Leland was the most popular name for baby boys.
The Vital Statistics Division also recorded 399 deaths in Logan County in 2021 and 211 deaths of county residents elsewhere in the state. Among those individuals who passed away last year, eight were 100 years old or older.
The leading causes of death for Logan County residents in 2021 included: heart disease, 25 percent; cancer, 18 percent; COVID-19, 16 percent; and other, 15 percent.
Accidents also were reported as the cause of 3 percent of deaths, and diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease accounted for 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively.
To view the agency’s annual report, visit www.loganhealth.org and click the “reports” tab at the top right side of the home page.