Public Health
A Healthier Future for our Community
During the production years of 1938 to 1974, St. Joe Paper Company discharged mill wastewater in various locations. From the 1940s to the early 1950s, the Company constantly filled in a “sock-shaped” area, east of the paper mill. filled with wastes. They carried dangerous chemicals and toxins, including arsenic, lead, and manganese. This environmental harm continues to unfold within the multi-generational community of North Port St. Joe.
North Port St. Joe's health and welfare has been an issue since 2019, when the Florida Department of Health in Gulf County carried out a project solely for the community. It reinforced the needs that the community until the arrival of COVID-19. When able to, the CDC responded by working with two expert Universities of West and South Florida. The Health Impact Assessment is now completing its work by including a "transformative scenario for a healthy future." The latter has brought together groups of members with influence, a project of which will advance the cause of grassroots efforts in fighting structural racism in health.
Several efforts have been undertaken to ensure that the work of the CDC ultimately brings greater health to the residents of North Port St. Joe. Some of these projects include:
2019 Health Impact Assessment
A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a practice that protects and promotes health. It reduces inequities in health during a decision-making process. It is a rapidly growing field that can help decision-makers inform choices, thereby bringing together scientific data, health expertise, and public input. Therefore, identifying the potential of effects on public health, both positive and negative, of proposed plans, projects, policies, and programs. You can find a full copy of the 2021 Health Impact Assessment conducted with the help of the University of West Florida and the University of South Florida here.
2023 – Transformative Scenario Process for the Healthy Future of Port St. Joe
Transformative Scenario Planning is a process that brings together diverse and influential actors with an ultimate goal of systemic change. The system in this case is structural racism that perpetuates health inequity in NPSJ Representatives with influence in this system will be able to change their perception of it so that they can take positive action. This project will also advance the cause of grassroots, with their efforts in addressing structural racism in health and connecting people to each other to create a Culture of Health. You can find the latest presentation about this ongoing project here.
