Public Health 101

Public Health describes the system and efforts of government, social and private organizations focused on protecting, promoting and restoring the health of a society. The public health system works towards keeping whole communities healthy. Many types of organizations have a part in public health.

Everyday, without even realizing it, almost every person has contact with the public health system. If you:

• used indoor running water and sanitation
• used a seat belt
• ate at a restaurant
• shopped at a grocery store
• saw a ‘No Smoking’ sign
• read about the clean-up of environmental waste
• heard a news story about preparing for biological or chemical terrorism
• took vitamin supplements
• used sunscreen
• drank pasteurized milk or juice
• took your child for an immunization
• went swimming in a public pool or lake
• ate a healthy diet and exercised
  …you benefited from the work of public health professionals!

Government provides public health services at the federal, state and local levels. The National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) describes 10 Essential Functions all local health departments should perform. To view and/or download this document, click on the following link:

  NACCHO Operational Definition of a functional local health department

In the State of Connecticut, local public health services may be provided by a part-time municipal health department, a full-time municipal health department or a health district. A health district is formed when 2 or more municipalities choose to consolidate their local public health functions.

There are currently 20 local health districts in the state, serving over 40% of the state population. Ledge Light Health District is one of these districts – serving East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, New London and Waterford.

The benefits of managing public health on a regional level include:

• economic efficiencies for the municipalities
• uniform and consistent enforcement of the state public health code and regulations
• uniform and consistent costs
• the ability to provide the full range of public health functions to all residents
• a fully trained and certified staff
• 24/7 coverage for emergencies
• the ability to address concerns across town lines.