About the Health Department
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Our Staff
Our staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, dieticians, nutritionists, social workers, health educators, sanitarians, plumbing inspectors, clerical support people and administrators.

Public Health in Richland County
Public health covers a variety of activities designed to prevent the spread of disease and promote optimal health.  It has been defined as "the art and science of maintaining, protecting and prolonging the health of the people through organized community effort".  Our activities primarily concentrate on prevention and education services to promote a healthy community.Most public health activities within a community are initiated by the local health department, with the approval of the board of health within its jurisdiction, which is the local health district.

Legal Authority
The legal authority for boards of health and local health departments is found primarily in the Ohio Revised Code, while specific implementation guidelines are found in the Ohio Administrative Code.

Our Health District
Our health department is under the jurisdiction of a combined city/county health district which represents all of Richland County except the city of Shelby.  State laws and a contractual agreement between the cities of Mansfield and Ontario and the Richland County Health District Advisory Council allow six members to be appointed by the cities and seven by the council.  One of these represents senior citizens in the county.

Board of Health
The board plans or authorizes activities benefiting the department's purpose.  Terms are for five years; there is no term limit.  Board meetings are normally the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at 555 Lexington Avenue.  January and February's board meeting is held on the fourth Monday of the month.  Meetings are open to the public and the agenda includes an opportunity for public comment.|