Commissioners to hear annual report on child mortality, vote on open burning ordinance
Commissioners to hear annual report on child mortality, vote on ... Mountain Xpress
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Buncombe County Medical Director Reports on Child Mortality
Buncombe County’s medical director, Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, will deliver a report on child mortality and provide recommendations to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on how to reduce the rate. The report will be presented at the meeting on Tuesday, August 1.
According to the presentation materials from Dr. Mullendore, there were a total of 20 child deaths in Buncombe County in 2021, with 11 of them being infants under the age of one.
Two teams, namely the Community Child Protection Team (CCPT) and the Child Fatality Prevention Team (CFPT), collaborate to compile an annual report with recommendations for reducing fatality rates. The CCPT reviews deaths related to abuse or neglect, while the CFPT reviews all other cases of child death.
One of the recommendations from this report is for the commissioners to fund a voluntary nurse home-visit program for all families with newborns in Buncombe County. Another recommendation is to update messaging on how to provide a safe sleeping environment for infants.
Out of the 20 deaths in 2021, eight were caused by birth defects or perinatal conditions occurring between 22 weeks of gestation and seven days after birth. Seven deaths were attributed to illness.
During the August 1 meeting, the commissioners will not take official action on the recommendations, but they may potentially appoint a new member to the CCPT and CFPT teams.
In Other News
The commissioners will also consider passing an update to the fire prevention ordinance, which has not been revised since 2007.
The updated ordinance includes a new section on open burning, but it does not introduce any new bans on burning. However, it does require a permit for bonfires taller than six feet, mandates a minimum distance of 50 feet from any structure, and necessitates the presence of a fire department truck and personnel on-site. Recreational fires smaller than six feet, not contained by a fire pit, do not require a permit but must be at least 25 feet away from a structure and must be supervised.
Backyard fires at private residences do not require a permit but should be continuously attended while lit. Burning nonvegetative materials, such as trash or construction materials, remains illegal under Buncombe County’s air quality ordinance.
Violations of the ordinance can result in fines starting at $500, as stated in the presentation.
These changes to the fire prevention ordinance were recommended by North Carolina Fire Chief Consulting following their study of the county’s EMS and fire services in 2022.
Buncombe Fire Marshal Kevin Tipton informed the commissioners during the July 18 meeting that he receives an average of 30 complaints per month regarding smoke. He hopes that the new ordinance will help address air quality concerns. Buncombe County has recently experienced poor air quality due to Canadian wildfires, which have been intensified and expanded by climate change.
“I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel, but I am trying to cut down on nuisance burning,” Tipton told the commissioners last month.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda for the meeting includes four items that will be approved as a package unless singled out for separate discussion. These items consist of the approval of three separate meeting minutes from July and June’s tax collection report.
The full agenda and supporting documents for the regular meeting can be found here. Prior to the meeting, the commissioners will hold a briefing at 3 p.m.
In-person public comments will be accepted at the beginning of the regular meeting, which will take place at 5 p.m. in room 326 at 200 College St., Asheville. Voicemail or email comments will not be permitted. Both the briefing and the regular meeting will be livestreamed on the county’s Facebook page and will be available for viewing on YouTube afterwards.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Child mortality rate (neonatal mortality and under-5 mortality) can be used as an indicator for SDG 3.2.
- Air quality concerns and complaints related to smoke can be used as indicators for SDG 11.6.
- Poor air quality resulting from Canadian wildfires intensified by climate change can be used as an indicator for SDG 13.2.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births. | Child mortality rate (neonatal mortality and under-5 mortality) |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Air quality concerns and complaints related to smoke |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Poor air quality resulting from Canadian wildfires intensified by climate change |
Based on the article, the issues discussed are connected to SDGs related to good health and well-being (SDG 3), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and climate action (SDG 13).
Specific targets that can be identified include reducing neonatal mortality and under-5 mortality, improving air quality in cities, and integrating climate change measures into policies and planning.
The indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards these targets are the child mortality rate (neonatal mortality and under-5 mortality), air quality concerns and complaints related to smoke, and poor air quality resulting from Canadian wildfires intensified by climate change.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: mountainx.com
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