Local Public Health in Oregon
Local health departments protect and improve community well-being by preventing disease, illness and injury and impacting social, economic, and environmental factors fundamental to excellent health.
The local health department is the foundation of the local public health system (comprised of public- and private-sector health care providers, academia, business, the media, and other local and state governmental entities). To learn more about local public health in Oregon, read on. To learn more about the whole public health system in Oregon and how it works together, see:
- OHSU-PSU and CLHO: Oregon’s Public Health System webinar recording and slides
- Marion County’s Public Health System’s in Oregon online training
Local health departments adapt their strategies to protect and improve community well-being to fit local contexts and circumstances. However, there are some standard activities that all public health departments do in their communities.
Local health departments gather and analyze data on the community’s health to determine risks and problems. This information drives specific programs and activities designed to control multiple threats: both communicable and chronic diseases; food, water, insect, and other “vector-borne” outbreaks; biological, chemical, and radiological hazards; and public health disasters.
As a result of extensive and ongoing preparation, local health departments respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other public health events—they are intensively trained to respond to increases in the incidence of diseases, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism. They coordinate the delivery of drugs, supplies, and provisions to victims and populations at risk. They keep the public informed and serve as the network hub for community hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers.
Acting on their knowledge about their community, local health departments create data-driven policies to meet health needs and address emerging issues. They help craft sound health policies by providing expertise to local, state, and federal decision-makers. Local health departments also inform individuals and organizations about public health laws while monitoring and enforcing compliance.
With local and state government agencies, businesses, schools, and the media, local health departments spearhead locally organized health promotion and disease prevention campaigns and projects. They galvanize the community to tackle disease prevention and personal health care needs. Local health departments also educate and encourage people to lead healthy lives through community forums; public workshops and presentations; and public service announcements.
Local health departments connect people with personal health services, including preventive and health promotion services, either in the community or as close to the community as possible. They also advocate for the development of needed programs and services in underserved populations and continuously monitor the quality and accessibility of public health services.