To the OHA team:

This month, public attention across the state has been focused on the report of heavy metals in the air near two glass manufacturers in North and Southeast Portland. From the moment we learned about this contamination in late January, OHA's public health team has been working hard to assess the health risks and protect the public.

Last week, I told legislators our actions are focused on three priorities. We’re assessing health risks and keeping the public informed. We’re helping neighbors understand and reduce their exposure. We’re working with federal, state and local partners to develop risk-based health permitting rules in Portland and other Oregon communities.

At present there is no indication the metals pose any immediate health risks to people living, working or going to school in the surrounding neighborhoods. Our health experts are continuing to analyze data to determine potential long-term public health risks.

What actions has OHA taken on air quality?

Here are some of the ways our public health team of experts has been working to address the community’s concern:

• We set up an incident command structure and joint information center with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Multnomah County to manage the response.
• We partnered with “211info” to answer questions from Portland residents, parents and health care providers about air toxics.
• Our health experts spoke at community meetings in North and Southeast Portland and we’ve developed fact sheets and other information for the public and providers (you can see them on our website).

In addition, OHA launched a review of data from the state cancer registry for the areas of Southeast Portland that have been exposed. At this time, our medical researchers have found no evidence of an increase in cancers associated with cadmium and arsenic exposure. We are conducting a similar study for North Portland.

Last but not least, we’re putting together a plan to cover the costs of cadmium testing for current residents of the highest-risk neighborhoods. We want to ensure no one who wants to test themselves or their loved ones will be prevented from being tested because they cannot pay the cost. In addition, OHA is reaching out directly to our Medicaid population in these areas.

Next Steps

In the coming weeks, our team will be analyzing air and soil data DEQ has collected to assess short-term and long-term health effects. DEQ has committed to issuing new health-based rules to govern emissions for small manufacturers like the glass makers in Portland. We will be at the table sharing our health expertise as those new rules are crafted.

ONE eligibility goes live for partners

This month, Oregon Eligibility (ONE), our new online eligibility and enrollment system for entering people into the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), entered an exciting new phase. Since December 2015, OHP eligibility workers have been using ONE to enter and manage OHP member information. Now community partners are directly enrolling Oregonians, too.

This month, 50 community partners began to pilot ONE by helping Oregonians apply for OHP coverage online. So far, the feedback has been very positive.

Charlene Buckley from Conifer Health, wrote: “It was exciting to try the system. To be honest, this was such an easy process.” Charlene liked many of the new features, including the ability to go back to edit pages. And she offered some ideas for improvements. But mostly, she loved it: "CHEERS!” she added, “You all made this happen!”

Transforming the member experience

The ONE system will make the application process easier and more convenient for people later this year when we open ONE for direct enrollment. It’s a simple way we can improve access to better health for everyone in Oregon.

Improving our eligibility and enrollment system for OHP was at the top of our list of improvements to our technology and the way we serve our most vulnerable residents.

Thank you all for your contributions to Oregon’s good health.

Lynne

To your health: Spring is when our thoughts turn to gardening. Working outdoors and eating the produce we grow are two great ways to improve our health. Here are some tips to ensure safe gardening:

• Test soil for contaminants. If necessary, build raised beds and bring in clean soil.
• Plant gardens away from utility poles and busy roadways, and at least a foot away from the “drip line” of a building.
• Wash hands with soap and water right after gardening, even if you wear gloves.
• Wash garden produce to remove dirt. Broccoli and leafy greens should be soaked for a few minutes; other produce should be scrubbed under running water.
• Take off shoes and wipe dirt off your pet before entering your home.
• Cover bare ground with mulch, landscape fabric or groundcover plants.