Announcement: Public Health Quick Poll Results Released!
Pasadena (pop. 141,000), Long Beach (pop. 463,000), and Berkeley (pop. 121,485) have their own public health departments, and Irvine could establish one with the Office of Health and Wellness.
On February 8, the Irvine City Council discussed the creation of an Office of Health and Wellness, an Irvine-run department that would bolster the services of local, state, and federal partners and address local health needs. Councilmember Agran had requested this discussion last April because, for a growing city of over 300,000 residents, a City entity needs to have the resources of staff and oversight authority to coordinate community health plans and goals. The City wants to be prepared for any emergency.
Source: Larry Agran, “Allocation of Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.” Memo, April 15, 2021. According to Councilmember Agran, “ln addition to the ongoing COVID-19 response, the Office of Health and Wellness could also address mental health and absorb other existing City-driven public health campaigns.”
As you may recall, Councilmember Larry Agran had asked you: How would you feel about a new Irvine public health department, and what would you want that entity to do? In a quick poll conducted in the lead-up to the meeting, you provided messages of support for this new office. For example, you told us the following:
“I think this is a great idea and we have the resources of UCI School of Public Health right here to guide this venture.”
“Irvine as a large, growing city should have a health department.”
“Put nurses in schools! Kids need help with mental health.”
“Provide…services that address mental health issues and community education.”
Informed by all these data and opinions, Councilmember Agran voted to support the creation of the Office of Health and Wellness. During the City Council meeting, he said:
“It’s remarkable that a City of our size, talent and wealth doesn’t have a public health officer. We need to collaborate with the University of California, Irvine— they have a school of Public Health, Nursing, Medical School, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health Sciences— and tap into every available resource, including our federally-funded American Rescue Plan Act spending plan.”
At the February 8 meeting, the City Council directed staff to return with their thoughts and recommendations on next steps. Irvine’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending plan is a living document, and its allocation is adjustable with Council direction, so Councilmember Agran is excited to review all the resources available to implement the Office of Health and Wellness with partners.
Thank you for your participation in our government and issues. Our office will keep you informed of ways to participate in Irvine’s public health discussions.