Health board learns a little history

MONROEVILLE — The Huron County Board of Health heard a presentation on the history of public health in Ohio and around the U.S. "There were health departments throughout the nation before the 1918 Spanish Flu," Norwalk Health Commissioner Tim Hollinger said, noting prior to the 1918 pandemic, disorganized health systems existed all over the country, usually consisting of a single person. In 1919, Hollinger explained, the Hughes-Griswold Acts eliminated township- and village-level public health officials, consolidating public health into organizations at city or county levels, with the goal to provide greater coverage in rural areas and create a more comprehensive approach to public health. As Ohio law evolved, he said, cities were permitted to form their own city health departments, not subject to oversight by a district advisory council (DAC.) In Ohio, health systems are permitted to exist under one or more of four types, Hollinger continued. They include general, city, contracting and combined health districts. Since it takes in the city of Norwalk and contracts with the city of Bellevue, the Huron County district counts as being both contracting and combined. Hollinger also explained the state provides for a board of health, (BOA,) and a DAC. The local board, Hollinger said, acts is an independent political division within the state, a subdivision of the State of Ohio, much like a school board. The board is not a state agency, but acts as a subcontractor for multiple state deparments, depending on function. Some include the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Department of Commerce, and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The board also voted Thursday to accept an application for Public Health Accreditation Board reaccreditation, and reviewed 2022 budget figures, showing $1,647,449 in 2022 carryover, $1,370,272 in year-to-date revenue, $1,294,708 in year-to-date expenses, a cash balance of $1,723,013 and an outstanding advance of $430,795.13. "We're down just a hair from last year," said Karen Boose, director of administrative services.