In 2008, Columbus Public Health celebrates 175 Years of excellence in providing care and protection to central Ohio residents and visitors. The earliest record of public health in Columbus dates back to 1833 when a committee of five citizens was appointed by the mayor to cope with an epidemic of Asiatic cholera.

Since that time, public health has played  a key role in the increase in life expectancy -- now 30 years longer than it was at the beginning of the 20th century. Public health has made dramatic strides in improving community health and ensuring that our daily lives are safe.

Some of these accomplishments include:

• traffic safety advancements
• controlling the spread of diseases
• fluoridating of drinking water
• reducing tobacco use
• improving the health of mothers and babies; lessening deaths from heart
• disease and stroke
• creating safer foods
• creating safer workplaces 
• providing vaccinations

175 Years of Public Health In Columbus

Columbus Public Health has had a rich history of dedicated service to the community throughout the past 175 years.

Join us as we take a look back in time at some of the key events that have helped shape the great organization that we are today.

View Our Timeline

More about the history of public health.

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