The Richland County Health Department is dedicated to cultivating individual and community involvement in all aspects of our health, safety and wellness by empowering people to capitalize on available resources to achieve our highest quality of life.

One project that demonstrates the philosophy and success of the RCHD approach to public health is the Richland Health Network, which has been nationally recognized by the Rural Assistance Center. You can click here to learn more about this innovative partnership between the Sidney Health Center, RCHD and the Richland County Commission on Aging.

The American Medical Association defines public health as the "art and science of maintaining, protecting, and prolonging the health of the public through organized community effort." In order to meet this definition and fulfill its mission, the Richland County Health Department has identified Ten Essential Services which the Health Department must provide. All of our programs share a common dedication to our vision of developing "healthy people in healthy communities." You can join us in that effort just by learning more about out programs on this site and using the services we provide, but if you would like to contribute even more toward making Richland County a healthy place live, please contact us about our many volunteer opportunities.

The Ten Essential Services

1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.
4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems.
5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
8. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce.
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.