About Columbus Public Health
Columbus Public Health is the local public health agency for the City of Columbus. The earliest record of organized public health in Columbus dates back to 1833 when the mayor appointed a committee of five citizens to wage war on an Asiatic cholera outbreak. By 1835, this board was appointed as a permanent body to become active whenever a health emergency such as cholera, smallpox or typhoid arose.
The department is charged with assuring conditions in which people can be healthy. Columbus Public Health is made up of a range of programs providing clinical, environmental, health promotion, and population-based services. The department has an annual budget of approximately $46 million and is staffed by 400 full-and part-time employees.
Mission
Columbus Public Health is a leader in improving the health and safety of Columbus by monitoring community health status, identifying and addressing public health threats, enforcing laws that protect the public's health, and providing services to prevent and control disease.
Our Vision
All people who live and work in Columbus are protected from disease and other public health threats and empowered to utilize health services, health information, and other resources to achieve their optimum health.
Columbus Public Health is valued as the leader for identifying public health priorities and mobilizing resources and community partnerships to address them. We have resources to be effective and to support flexible, committed, and high-performing employees in accomplishing our work.
Our Public Health Goals
- Provide visible leadership to effectively identify and respond to public health threats and priorities
- Develop sustainable community systems for addressing public health threats and priorities
- Establish greater visibility and support for the Columbus Public Health among community leaders, other organizations, and the general public
- Provide tools and information to empower people and neighborhoods to gain greater control of the factors that influence their health
- Develop organizational capacity and resources to support department-wide efficiency and effectiveness
Columbus Public Health Links