Local Health Departments
in New York State
What We Are-What We Do
Strong, vibrant local health departments creating healthy, safe communities in New
York State is NYSACHO’s vision. In order for communities to attain this vision, local
health departments work within the operating standards developed by the National
Association of City and County Health Officials. Below are the 10 standards with
explanations of how New York State’s Local Health Departments meet them, including
specific local examples.
Monitor health status and understand health issues facing the community: In New
York State, local health departments conduct community health assessments (CHAs) by
analyzing community health quality data and convening community stakeholders, such as
hospitals and other health care providers, schools, businesses and non-profit
organizations, to identify and design strategies to address the health and prevention
priorities in their communities. The Niagara County Department of Health, working
with its four hospitals, identified lead poisoning prevention and testing as a
priority for their residents. The department identified 11 strategies and
interventions to address this priority, including the provision of “point of care” lead
testing equipment to at least four pediatric health care providers.
Protect people from health problems and health hazards: Local health
departments in NYS investigate communicable disease reports and outbreaks, provide
childhood and adult immunizations both directly to those who cannot afford private
health care and through regular contact with other health care providers in their
communities. To address a Pertussis (Whooping Cough) outbreak, Jefferson County
Public Health Services investigated disease reports, provided outreach and
education to schools, childcare centers, senior groups and providers in their
community about the symptoms and preventive steps to take during the outbreak,
and urged vaccination for adults and older children due to their waning immunity
and the risk they can pose to high-risk populations, particularly infants.
Give people information they need to make healthy choices: Local health
departments in NYS work with schools and other stakeholders to encourage good
nutrition and physical activity; with pregnant women and new moms to encourage
breast-feeding; and with tobacco-free coalitions to connect people with smoking
cessation programs. Clinton County New York offers a KidShape program for
overweight children between the ages of 8-11 and their parents and caregivers that
promotes healthy food choices, physical activity and addresses self-esteem issues.
Engage the community to identify and solve health problems: Local health
departments in NYS engage their communities through local events, municipal
meetings, surveys and focus groups. In the Hudson Valley, seven local health
departments are working with partners in health care and academia, using surveys
and local forums to identify common health problems and solutions in their region.
Efforts are underway to educate their communities about the health risks to
mothers and newborns associated with unnecessary C-sections.
The New York State
Association of
County
Health Officials
represents all 58
local health
departments in
New York State.
Our Mission:
To support local
health departments
in their work to
prevent disease,
disability and injury
and promote health
and wellness
throughout
New York State.
Local Health Departments
in New York State
What We Are-What We Do
Develop public health policies and plans: Local health departments in NYS have been national leaders in creating
policies and plans that reduce the burden of chronic diseases. Examples include efforts to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, such as banning smoking in bars, restaurants, parks and playgrounds; and to provide information on
healthier food choices, such as calorie labeling of menus in restaurant chains.
Enforce public health laws and regulations: Local health departments in NYS inspect restaurants, pools, beaches, hotels
and children’s camps to ensure they follow public health laws and regulations; monitor public and individual water supply
systems; offer rabies clinics to assist pet owners in complying with NYS vaccination laws. On Long Island, both the
Nassau and Suffolk County Departments of Health regularly test water quality at the hundreds of public beaches used
by residents and visitors and issue advisories and closures to protect citizens from possible contaminants.
Help people receive health services: Where access to medical care is lacking, whether due to inadequate provider
capacity, lack of insurance or underinsurance, local health departments in NYS provide immunizations, sexuallytransmitted disease (STD) treatment, dental care and home health services. Local health departments strive to connect
individuals with medical homes for routine care, and they may coordinate care during public health emergencies. Tioga
County Health Department identified a need for dental services for low-income individuals and families. This was
due to a lack of dental providers who would treat uninsured or Medicaid recipients and a lack of transportation in
the community. Through the purchase of a mobile dental van, the County now meets the dental care needs of more
than 2,000 residents annually.
Maintain a competent public health workforce: New York’s local health departments work with a variety of academic
institutions and other organizations to receive low and no-cost opportunities for both in-person and distance learning
opportunities. Recruitment, training and staff development are critical to maintaining the public health infrastructure of
NYS. In Chenango County, a rural community in the southern tier, Public Health Nurses received cross-training so
they can provide back-up to their mental health counterparts to administer medication and make referrals for
mental health and substance abuse services.
Evaluate and improve programs and interventions: NYS and NYC measure the effectiveness of public health
interventions in improving health outcomes, performance and quality of public health programs . In 2004 the New York
City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene implemented the Take Care New York initiative which identified 10
key areas to help their citizens live longer, healthier lives. The initiative has shown significant progress, meeting
eight of the 10 goals targeted for 2008, with two goals being met in 2007. Take Care NY was the inspiration for New
York State’s Prevention Agenda which is similarly mobilizing communities throughout the state around 10 key health
priorities.
Contribute to and apply the evidence base of public health: New York State has been a leader in employing and
contributing to evidence-based and practice-based research. Local health departments use research tools such as The
Guide to Community Preventive Services to guide their practices. The Chemung County local health department
participated in the initial research regarding the effectiveness of nurse home visiting programs. The Nurse-Family
Partnership model, developed from this research, is a nationally recognized evidence-based program that has shown
positive health outcomes for mothers and infants including reductions in child abuse, improvements in academic
success, and decreased reliance on government welfare programs.