Dallas County Board of Health discusses surge in birth certificate requests

The Cowlitz County Commissioners convened on May 27, 2025, for a meeting focused on public health updates and administrative matters. The meeting commenced promptly at 10:01 AM, with the first order of business being the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting held on April 29. Commissioner Farrell moved to accept the minutes, which was unanimously approved by the board.

Following the approval, the meeting transitioned to a presentation by the Health and Human Services (HHS) department, led by Dr. Kroeger, Gina, and Carol. The presenters expressed gratitude for the flexibility in the agenda and proceeded to share updates on public health initiatives, including a discussion on rabies.

Dr. Kroeger highlighted a significant increase in the demand for birth certificates, noting a 65% rise compared to the same period last year. This surge is attributed to the new Real ID requirements, prompting residents to update their identification for travel purposes. As of April, the department processed over 2,100 birth certificate requests, a notable increase from the previous year.

In addition to birth certificates, the department reported a 20% increase in death certificate orders, although the reasons for this rise remain unclear. The process for obtaining these documents has become more labor-intensive, requiring individuals to provide proof of identity, which has extended processing times from 5-10 minutes to 15-30 minutes.

The meeting underscored the busy nature of the front office staff, who handle a high volume of requests, particularly on Monday mornings. The presentation concluded with an acknowledgment of the ongoing challenges and demands faced by the public health department.

Overall, the meeting provided valuable insights into the current state of public health services in Cowlitz County, emphasizing the impact of regulatory changes on administrative operations. The commissioners expressed their appreciation for the hard work of the HHS staff and the importance of adapting to evolving public needs.