Franklin County Public Health: Prevent. Engage. Respond.
Our Vision
Franklin County Public Health leads our communities in achieving optimal health for all.
Our Mission
Franklin County Public Health improves the health of our communities by preventing disease, promoting healthy living and protecting against public health threats through education, policies, programs and partnerships.
Our Values
We serve our communities, our organization, and each other with: Integrity, Accountability, Excellence, Respect and Humility.
One Goal
Franklin County Public Health will adopt equity as the foundation for conducting its daily work.
Our Vision
Franklin County Public Health leads our communities in achieving optimal health for all.
Our Mission
Franklin County Public Health improves the health of our communities by preventing disease, promoting healthy living and protecting against public health threats through education, policies, programs and partnerships.
Our Values
We serve our communities, our organization, and each other with: Integrity, Accountability, Excellence, Respect and Humility.
Governance
The authority of any health department in the State of Ohio is granted by law and is specifically detailed in the Ohio Revised Code primarily sections 3701, 3707, and 3709. By code, we are a general health district. A five member Board is appointed by the District Advisory Council. The Board appoints a Health Commissioner who oversees the day-to-day operation of the department. FCPH has a staff of approximately 150 people. See below for detailed information on the structure of the department.
Health Commissioner
The Board appoints a Health Commissioner who oversees the day-to-day operation of the department.
The Board of Health
The District Advisory Council appoints members to the board.
Meetings & Reports
Board Meetings and FCPH Reports
District Advisory Council
The makeup and creation of the District Advisory Council was determined by the State Legislature in 1919.
History
The Franklin County Board of Health was established in October 1919 as a result of the Great Influenza, the most devastating pandemic flu on record. We have operated as a full-service health department in the State of Ohio since that time. In 2010, the department’s name and logo changed to Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) to more accurately reflect all the services performed. Our Board is still known as the Franklin County Board of Health. See below to learn more about our structure and how we operate by law.
The Hughes-Griswold Act, passed in 1919, established municipal and general health districts across the state of Ohio to ensure that the state could effectively respond to public health crises. Although all municipalities in Ohio were required to form a Board of Health in 1893, after a statewide smallpox epidemic in 1917 and the nationwide influenza epidemic in 1918, which killed 25-50 million people worldwide, it became clear that a more comprehensive and formalized approach to public health was necessary. In April 1919, Representative Hughes of Lorain introduced a law that established 102 health districts of two classes: municipal (in cities over 25,000) and general health (villages and townships). Each health district was required to have a full-time health commissioner, at least one full-time public health nurse, and at least one full-time clerk. While the bill did not pass before the legislature adjourned, when they reconvened, the legislature passed the Hughes Bill with the Griswold Amendment in December of 1919. The amendment allowed for cities of 5,000 people or more to constitute a city health district and altered requirements for the Board of Health. As a result, FCPH became a health department on October 24, 1919.
– Courtesy of Lorain County Health Department.
Accreditation
On March 11, 2016, FCPH officially became a nationally accredited public health agency through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), and as of May 29, 2024, we have successfully maintained our national accreditation status.
This national accreditation program works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and ultimately transforming the quality and performance of public health departments. The accreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community, and by maintaining our accreditation status for another five years, FCPH has demonstrated that it meets PHAB’s national standards and measures.
Learn more about Public Health Accreditation at phaboard.org.
Annual Report & Strategic Plan
Review our 2025 services and accomplishments
Jurisdictions
As defined by law in Ohio, Franklin County Public Health provides service to all of the townships and villages in Franklin County. In addition, 14 cities in Franklin County contract with our department to serve as their health department and provide comprehensive public health services to their residents.