Public Health Leadership Initiative

Sections

Counties are essential to the public health system, delivering services that protect and promote community well-being. From addressing substance use to tackling food insecurity, county policies and programs shape the conditions in which residents live and work. County investments in health ensure that all residents have access to the services they need to thrive.

NACo’s Public Health Leadership Initiative will engage county leaders on their role in public health and equip them with the skills needed to become public health champions in their communities. The initiative will include cohort programs as well as one-off peer exchange events and best practice briefs focused on highlighting successful strategies for empowering county officials to improve community health.

By the numbers

1,900

Local health departments

Counties support public health through the operation of more than 1,900 local health departments

$100B

Invested in community health

Counties invest $100 billion in community health and hospitals each year to provide community and public health services and support county-owned hospitals

$62.8B

Allocated to provide a safety net

Annually, counties allocate $62.8 billion to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable residents

Apply Now: Public Health Leadership Academy

Applications are open for the second cohort of NACo’s Public Health Leadership Academy to strengthen county leadership in advancing public health. County teams participating in the learning cohort will identify new strategies to improve health outcomes and develop an action plan to address a health priority in their county through both virtual and in-person trainings. View the PDF application and letter of commitment below and then use the form to submit your application by Monday, September 21.

If you are interested and would like to learn more, please view the slides from the Public Health Leadership Academy Information Session which took place on Monday, August 31 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Application information sheet

Letter of commitment template

Application form

View the slides from the information session

Alachua County, Fla.
Arapahoe County, Colo.
Cobb County, Ga.
Delta County, Colo.
Hennepin County, Minn.
Rolette County, N.D.
Saline County, Kan.
Scott County, Minn.
Shasta County, Calif.
Thurston County, Wash.
United Government of Wyandotte County, Kan.
Yates County, N.Y.

Resource

The County Role in Public Health

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.

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Resource

Building a Legacy of Health: Transforming the Health and Wellbeing of Our Communities

In partnership with the de Beaumont Foundation, NACo offers insights and actionable strategies to help county leaders build a legacy of health in our communities – beyond increasing access to clinical care.

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Program

Healthy Counties Innovation Council

NACo’s Healthy Counties Innovation Council elevates national trends and county innovations in promoting and protecting the health and well-being of America’s residents; in addition, the Council advises NACo on the organization’s health programming.

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Committee

Health Policy Steering Committee

The committee covers all matters pertaining to public health and healthy communities, including disease and injury prevention and health promotion, health disparities reduction, mental and behavioral health services, and financing delivering health care.

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