San Francisco Health Commission honors DPH teams; approves prior meeting minutes

The San Francisco Health Commission opened its September meeting by recognizing Department of Public Health employees who continued core services through the pandemic.

Commissioner Chung introduced the Office of Health Equity and DPH equity leads, saying their increased meeting frequency and resource-sharing sustained equity work while staff were deployed to COVID response. Dr. Diana Bennett praised the team’s organization and leadership after returning from deployment.

Commissioner Jurado presented the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program for recognition, noting the program’s role in nutrition, breastfeeding support, immunization screening and referrals. The presenters said WIC’s caseload grew by 25% since February 2020 to about 8,700 participants per month and highlighted partnerships that distributed $20,000 in gift cards and 300,000 EATSF vouchers to families during the pandemic.

Commissioner Christian recognized the COVID-19 Task Force Equity and Neighborhoods Group, which focuses on community-first strategies and serves priority neighborhoods including the Tenderloin, Mission, Excelsior, Bayview–Hunters Point, SoMa, Chinatown and Sunnydale. Speakers named Katie Tang and Erin Yen among the group’s leads.

Earlier in the meeting the commission moved and seconded approval of the minutes from the Sept. 7, 2021 meeting. Secretary Morwitz conducted a roll-call vote; the commissioners voted in favor and the item passed.