City of Ashtabula, Ohio

Board of Health

Ashtabula City Heatlh Department

The Board of Health shall be composed of five (5) members. Four (4) appointed by the City Manager and one (1) from the Health District Licensing Council.   The term of office of such members shall be five (5) years from the date of appointment.   Terms to be staggered.   The City Manager shall be President of the Board by virtue of his office.   At the annual meeting of the Board of Health, a president pro tem shall be appointed by the Board.   Meetings to be held monthly unless canceled for due cause.

In 1900, life expectancy for the average American was 50 years.   In 2009, that has increased to 78.1 years.   Much of this was because of clean drinking water, proper sewage disposal, immunizations and a host of other public health efforts and programs.   Almost all Americans believe that public health programs are important, but few understand that they focus on preventing disease and promoting health.   According to a recent Harris Poll, only 1 percent of respondents said public health concerned health education, healthier lifestyles or the prevention of infectious disease.  Public health is first and foremost about health, which is more than just the absence of disease.   Health is the realization of our physical and intellectual, emotional and spiritual potential.   Public health is about a community realizing its full potential to be healthy.   It is about a safe place to live, work, play and study that are free from disease and the threat of violence,.   It is about having enough to eat and a place to sleep and raise a family.   And most of all, it is about a sense of belonging and hope for the future.   

The Ten Essential Public Health Services