Local Public Health Flashcards
Lecture Objectives
1) Understand the definition and purpose of a local health department 2) be familiar with characteristics of a typical LHD to included jurisdiction, governance, work force and per capita expenditures 3) be aware of the typical clinical services/programs and typical population services/programs offered by an average LHD 4) be familiar with the purpose, characteristics and major concerns of LBH
What is the mission of a state department of health?
protect, promote, and improve the health and prosperity of people in the state; health by preventing problems
State department of health responsibilities
screening children, immunizations, prenatal care, safety net care in underserved populations, assuring restaurants/hotels etc meet standards
What is a local health department?
an administrative or service unit of local or state government, concerned with health and carrying some responsibility for the health of a jurisdiction smaller than the state
Reminder… 3 core functions of public health
policy development, assurance and assessment
Local health department roles
track and investigate health problems and hazards in community, emergency preparedness, develop and enforce policies laws and regulations, mobilize communities around important health issues, link people to health services, achieve excellence in public health practice through a trained workforce evaluation and evidence-based programs
What does a LHD do in your community?
protects from health threats, education, healthy solutions, advances community health
Where is the Shelby County Health department?
814 Jefferson
How many local health departments are in TN?
95
How many local health departments are in all states?
2,533
How many LHDs serve less than 10,000 people and more than 1,000,000 people respectively?
439 and 47
What is LHD jurisdiction?
county 68%, town 20%, multi-county 8% and other 4%
What is LHD authority?
centralized state governance 16%, locally governed decentralized 77%, shared 27% or mixed
What is the LHD authority in TN?
mixed
Define local board of health
governing board for public health on the local public health context for their jurisdiction by providing local public health vision, mission and advocacy and by encouraging community involvement in selecting public health priorities
Who works in a LHD?
administrative personnel, registered nurses, environmental health workers, public health managers, emergency preparedness staff + specific health careers
What is the annual per capita expenditure for a population <25,000 and more than 1,000,000 respectively?
mean $68 and $44
LHD programs
infectious disease surveillance, adult and child immunization, TB screening and treatment, environmental health surveillance, food establishment inspection, food safety edu, population based nutrition, daycare inspection
Lead poisoning
1 in 22 children in the US have high levels of lead in their blood; can’t smell, taste or see lead; can be in dust, paint, soil, drinking water or food
What is a local board of health?
serves as a link between the LHD and community organizations; local elected officials, government agencies, healthcare providers, hospitals, non-profit, faith-based org, community businesses
On average how many members are on a local board of health?
7 (range 3-33)
