Notice to Readers
CDC's National Profile of Local Boards of Health, September 1997
During 1995-1996, CDC, in collaboration with the National
Association
of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH), conducted the National Survey
of Local
Boards of Health (1). The survey was designed to characterize the
nation's
local boards of health (LBOHs) and learn more about their needs,
concerns,
and capacities. Data were collected in five areas: 1) demographic
characteristics of LBOHs and the areas they represent, 2)
telecommunications capability/infrastructure, 3) roles,
responsibilities,
and authorities, 4) composition and structure, and 5) concerns and
needs.
An LBOH was defined as any officially constituted local body
that
establishes general public health policies for a local jurisdiction
or that
provides advice about the development of such policies to those
responsible
for policy development. Surveys were completed by 1391 (44%) of
3186 LBOHs.
The survey found that, although 70% of respondents reported
having
access to a computer, only 31% used e-mail and only 18% used
Internet
e-mail. Most (80%) LBOHs reported performing multiple functions.
More than
half reported performing a combination of advisory, governing, and
policy-making functions, and 70% reported that they recommended
public
health policy; proposed, adopted, and enforced public health
regulations;
and recommended health department budgets and priorities.
Approximately 70% of respondents reported needing training,
information, or technical assistance in establishing community
health
priorities, identifying funding sources, conducting state and local
health
reform activities and community health assessments, and working
with
managed care organizations.
Reported by: JC Saccenti, NE Baker, MPH, National Association of
Local
Boards of Health, Bowling Green, Ohio. Div of Public Health
Systems, Public
Health Practice Program Office, CDC.
Reference
CDC. National profile of local boards of health. Atlanta,
Georgia: US
Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, 1997.
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