Invisible Shield Q&A
The Invisible Shield, a four-part documentary series, reveals a little-known truth: that public health saved your life today and you probably don’t even know it. But while public health makes modern life possible, the work itself is often underfunded, undervalued, and misunderstood.
Lewis and Clark Public Health hosted a screening of the four-part series at the Myrna Loy Theater on September 10, October 8, November 12, and January 7. Each hour-long film was followed by an hour of facilitated community conversation.
The series is free to stream on PBS for anyone to watch: The Invisible Shield | PBS
After our last screening, our facilitator collected questions from the audience, which are documented and answered below.
Q1: How can I get involved in public health efforts?
A1a: Lewis and Clark Public Health is very busy building and participating in community coalitions tackling community challenges. Concerned citizens are always welcome to attend and participate in both coalition discussions and solutions. Coalitions include: Healthy Communities (which includes an Aging Well Workgroup), Substance Misuse and Prevention, Local Advisory Council on Behavioral Health, Suicide Prevention, and Opioid Prevention.
A1b: In addition, if you are interested in sitting on the City-County Board of Health, as a resident of the city or county, a medical provider, expert in environmental health, or a consumer of public health services, you can apply at this link: Lewis and Clark County Board Appointment Application. Board terms are three years.
A1c: In December 2024, we published our latest Community Health Assessment. Now, as a community, we will take that assessment and create a plan, a Community Health Improvement Plan, to practically and strategically tackle the concerns and issues that our community considers priority. Those priority areas include: Housing, Chronic Disease, and Behavioral Health.
Dates for the priority area sessions have been set and the public is encouraged to attend and participate:
- Housing: February 7th from 9-11am at the United Way office
- Chronic Disease: February 19th from 10:30am – 12:30pm at St. Peter’s Health 2, 3 Rooms (just past the Ed Center)
- Behavioral Health: February 19th from 3-5pm at St. Peter’s Health Education Center
A1d: Please contact Communications Specialist Amber Johnson for further questions or follow up. You can email her at ajohnson@lccountymt.gov or call her at 406-558-9459.
Q2: How much does public health rely on federal and state funding?
A2: “Feds have the money, states have the power, and locals have the problem.” Over half the revenue that supports the work of Lewis and Clark Public Health is grant funded. Most of those grant funds come from the federal government in either a competitive or noncompetitive agreement. The State of Montana invests very little general fund dollars in public health work.
Q3: Given the state of the world and the impact on public health workers, how do we better support public health employees so they can sustain and succeed in their work long-term?
A3: Champion our work among your friends and family. (Casual conversations about septic tanks are highly encouraged.) Support local, state, and federal funding for public health work - particularly on the ballot. If you are a business, nonprofit, or foundation, consider sponsoring our events and projects. Make public health personal - commit to improve and protect your individual health, thereby inspiring your larger community to do the same. Eat more veggies, move more, get your flu shot, quit smoking, drink less, check your water well, buy or build an air filter, etc.
Q4: What is the disconnect between public health and other public workers?
A4: The work of public health comes with some controversy. We ask community members to set aside their own personal freedoms in order to create a healthier community for all of us to live. Take smoking tobacco for example. It was not that long ago that lighting up in a restaurant was a socially acceptable activity. Since the evidence about the health harms of exposure to secondhand smoke was released, laws have been passed to prohibit smoking in indoor public spaces to protect the workforce and patrons from exposure. This is an infringement on a person's individual right to smoke tobacco products anywhere they’d like, but protects many, many more people from the cancer-causing exposure. When public health steps in to regulate certain activities in order to protect the greater community, it causes friction with some who believe in personal freedoms over the greater good. There are few other public employees tasked by Montana State Law (Title 50) to protect the health of all residents in our county.
Q5: How do we better engage and educate the community about public health topics?
A5: Stay informed. Show Up. Share. An educated and informed populace that champions public health issues and topics can make a world of difference in how our community perceives and interacts with public health services - everything from supplemental nutrition for mothers and babies, testing water wells, monitoring air quality, to vaping prevention and cessation among youth. The healthier our community is, the happier and more prosperous our community is. We're all in this together. You can learn more about what Lewis and Clark Public Health does by exploring our website, following us on social media, engaging in the coalition work, and visiting with our experienced and knowledgeable staff who are dedicated to improving and protecting the health of all Lewis and Clark residents.