Just released: 2023 Annual Report

Lorain County Public Health (LCPH) just released its 2023 Annual Report.

In 2023, as in other years, LCPH focused on “upstream” factors that affect health. These factors are community-wide root causes of health outcomes and often include the social determinants of health. Social determinants of health are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age.

Some initiatives that LCPH led in 2023 to address upstream factors include:

• Inspecting and educating to prevent food poisoning: LCPH completed 3,149 inspections of places that serve food in Lorain County to help prevent dangerous cases of food poisoning.
• Data to help guide decisions: To make sure everyone has access to health data for decision-making, LCPH epidemiologists released 8 data briefs in 2023 on timely health topics.
• Active transportation plans (ATPs): LCPH has helped 2 cities adopt ATPs, including a plan update in 2023. Cities adopt ATPs to ensure they consider walking, biking, and other human-powered modes of travel.
• Improving maternal vitality: To help address infant mortality influenced by racism, LCPH co-leads the Lorain County Health Equity Task Force alongside the Urban League. The group earned over $1.1 million in grants to improve housing and prevent violence.

LCPH also provides personal prevention services. These services help individuals prevent disease and injury in their own lives.

Some services that address more downstream health factors include:

• Naloxone to prevent opioid overdose deaths: LCPH provided 6,191 naloxone (Narcan) rescue kits in 2023. 
• Milk donation coordination: 4,000 ounces of breastmilk were donated to the OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank. After getting screened and approved, donors dropped off milk at WIC. OhioHealth pasteurized the milk and distributed it to hospitals throughout the state.
• Prescription assistance: 4,333 prescriptions were filled at no or low cost for people who are uninsured to help prevent future health problems. 
• Support to prevent adverse health outcomes in children: LCPH served 1,774 children through the Children with Medical Handicaps (CMH) program. LCPH nurses helped children with healthcare needs get services to help prevent future medical and financial problems.

Read the 2023 Annual Report or one of the Annual Reports from past years.