Celebrating 100 Years in Public Health
The start of FCPH
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.
Here are some things that you can do to help us celebrate and to make our community healthier
People’s health, longevity and well-being are connected to their communities — the places we live, learn, work, worship and play. Whether it’s healthy housing, clean drinking water or safe places for kids to play, many opportunities to improve health happen far outside the doctor’s office. Below are some opportunities to help us create the healthiest nation in one generation:
