The Office of Local Health Department Support, as well as many other offices and bureaus at the Department, work closely with local health departments to carry out the mission of public health in Ohio. The Office of Local Health Department Support works with local health departments by:

• Serving as the agency liaison (Email) for the local health departments
• Administering public health minimum standards 3701-36-03 Ohio Administrative Code;
• Drafting recommendations regarding approval of local health districts’ contracts;
• Serving on statewide committees, workgroups and task forces;
• Providing technical assistance for program and policy support;

Good public health policies require dedicated champions and strong partnerships. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is fortunate to have both in the 125 local health departments which serve the citizens of Ohio.  The public health system in Ohio is comprised of the ODH, local public health departments, and other partners such as health care providers and public health associations that work together to promote and protect the health of Ohioans. It is critical Ohio recognize the important role local public health serves in the state. In Ohio, local health departments- like school districts- maintain independent governance, but often work together, along with the state and federal public health agencies.

Depending on the type of health district (city or general) funding for local public health departments comes from the support of their community through levies, city general operating funds, contracts, county government and/or what is known as “inside millage.” To help support local health departments, ODH receives funds from federal agencies, state general revenue, and other sources and distributes many of these funds through contracts and grants that contribute toward local public health programs and services. ODH also provides technical support, laboratory services, an IT communication network, and other critical services to aid local health department efforts.

As a profile of local health departments here are a few highlights:

• 2010 Census Figures by Local Health Department Jurisdiction
• 54 urban health departments
• 71 rural health departments
• 20 city charters
• 61 combined health districts
• 24 counties with more than one health department
• 5,621 full and part-time employees (2010)

Local health departments strive to promote health and the quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury and disability. As was just recently seen, local health departments play a vital role in responding to public health issues like H1N1 providing significant public value in terms of dollars and lives saved. On a more day-to-day basis, depending on the size and budget of a local health department, services may include environmental health programs, immunization clinics, well-baby visits, pre-natal, health screenings, dental, health promotion activities and disease surveillance.

Last updated: 02/17/2012