Join NACo in celebrating County Health Day on April 19, 2024

Throughout the day, use your social media platforms to share links to publications, photos, program descriptions and stories that capture the impact of innovative public health programs in your community. Connect with counties across the country on Facebook and X (Twitter) by using #CountyHealth to join the conversation and share how you are collaborating, engaging the community, innovating and impacting your community's health. 

• Highlight community partnerships. Our work in public health would not be possible without incredible partners, who support county work in many ways including funding, providing volunteers or expanding networks. Tag your community partners to highlight the importance of your partnership in achieving your public health goals. 
• Share available county resources. Has your county released any publications related to public health recently (e.g., community needs assessment, impact report, etc.)? Are there any underutilized public health services provided by the county you want to spread awareness for? Share links to publications and/or information about available health services on this day. 
• Promote data on county health systems. Share out data from NACo’s County Role in Public Health and other resources to show partners the integral work that counties do for our nation’s health systems. 
• Thank county health employees. Celebrate the efforts of county employees to drive improvements to public health and well-being. Identify key health leaders or champions in your county and thank them on social media to acknowledge the importance of their work.

This brief provides an overview of how counties provide integral public health services for all Americans, describes their public health authority, their role in preparedness and response efforts, and local public health efforts to address social determinants of health (SDOH) in our communities. The brief also outlines key federal policy recommendations for our federal partners to safeguard funding and authority for local public health services and programs.

Check out the brief

Share Key County Public Health Stats

• Counties support the majority of America’s approximately 2,800 local health departments and protect our residents’ health, safety and quality of life #CountyHealth
• Approximately 70 percent of all local health departments are county-based, and another 8 percent serve multiple counties #CountyHealth
• Counties are on the frontlines of crises, working alongside state and federal partners to respond to natural disasters and public health threats #CountyHealth
• As owners and administrators of local health and human services systems, SDOH accounts for as much as 50 percent of all county health outcomes #CountyHealth
• Counties play a key role in managing the multiple systems that influence maternal health outcomes #CountyHealth
• There are many different partners counties engage with across the local level to promote public health. Check them out: #CountyHealth 

Download Graphics 

Download shareable graphics here.

This County Health Day, counties can continue to advocate for and uplift policy priorities in public health that will greatly assist bolstering the workforce and infrastructure to support resilient and sustainable local public health.  

1. Provide funding and incentives to recruit and retain a diverse public health workforce. Local health departments which are underfunded and understaffed are less likely to be able to prepare and mobilize effectively, leaving our communities incredibly vulnerable. A strong workforce and consistent federal investments are essential to the overall health care infrastructure and ensure that our public health system operates efficiently and effectively. 
2. Protect funding for core local public health services and prevention programs. Urge your members of Congress, especially those who serve on the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees, to protect and increase funding for local public health services and prevention programs made possible by the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF). Read more here. 
3. Expand direct to county investments and support for bolstering public health preparedness and response. To meet the needs of residents, the local preparedness infrastructure must be upgraded as communities continue to face numerous environmental and natural disasters, alongside growing public health threats. Federal programs like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) cooperative agreement program are essential in providing not only funding, but technical assistance and guidance, to help public health departments at all levels to better prepare and respond to public health threats and emergencies. 

Download Letter Contact your Representatives Contact your Senators

Highlighting County Programs 

• Today is #CountyHealth Day! And [COUNTY NAME] is celebrating [PROGRAM NAME]’s critical work to [DESCRIBE PROGRAM] 
• [COUNTY NAME] is joining @NACoTweets in observing #CountyHealth Day! County Health Day is an important opportunity to share how our county is improving community health year-round! 
• Join [COUNTY NAME] today in recognizing #CountyHealth Day and the important work counties do to provide crucial services to support our communities’ health, safety and wellbeing! 
• [COUNTY NAME] is working hard to make our community healthier. This #CountyHealth Day, check out the work we are doing to address [HEALTH PRIORITY] [LINK TO PROGRAM] 

Celebrate Partnerships and County Employees 

• Thanks to our partner [TAG PARTNER ORGANIZATION] for their support in addressing [INSERT PUBLIC HEALTH TOPIC OF INTEREST] in [COUNTY NAME]! Learn more about our work together [ADD LINK TO PROGRAM/PARTNER PAGE] #CountyHealth 
• [NAME OF COUNTY EMPLOYEE] is a champion of improving public health in [COUNTY NAME]. [INSERT SPECIFIC INFORMATION OF EMPLOYEE'S PUBLIC HEALTH WORK/ACHIEVEMENTS] Thank you for your service! #CountyHealth