Ensuring the public’s health is a big task, and one that often requires complex government agencies able to handle everything from food inspections to the threat of bioterrorism and disease outbreaks. Many of these concerns are handled by local health inspectors and those who work within public relations for health-related agencies such as the department of health and corporations. Near the top of the profession, however, is the public health commissioner who heads the department of health at the local level. In very large cities, such as the New York City department, there may be an assistant commissioner to handle to work volume. Their job is to manage a vast number of subordinates and to serve as an instrumental part of developing community health improvement plans, health services, disaster response routines, targeting areas of concern such as mental health, family health and environmental health, and much more.
Eye to the Future: Planning for the Worst-Case Scenario
A health commissioner is usually highly educated in their field, possessing degrees in both the sciences and in administration of healthcare facilities or agencies. Using this powerful combination of education, they create plans designed to thwart the likes of AIDS, the West Nile Virus, or even something like a bioterrorism attack. Plans are developed in conjunction with local and federal government officials and politicians, and they often involve planning with local hospitals and health care agencies for disaster management routines. They may work with another department of health for health promotion and environmental health.
This planning is one of the most serious responsibilities with which the typical health commissioner is tasked. Their dedication to preparing health plans really does make the difference when one of these nightmare scenarios becomes less theoretical and a great deal more threatening. The department of health can literally be a life saver.
Public Outreach: Countering Disease with Information and Education
Another key responsibility of the health commissioner is to work alongside others in state, local, or federal governments to create campaigns that educate people on the dangers of diabetes, smoking, distracted driving, and a whole host of other common issues. The department of health works closely with other important agencies to protect public health. The general goal of these campaigns is to make people more aware of how their actions could negatively affect the health and happiness of those around them. In some cases, this means public health commissioners and their lieutenants will visit schools and conduct assemblies to educate youth about the same problems.
When it comes to specific types of outreach, including school assemblies, local hospital programs, and much more, health commissioners are the ones who set the tone and the agenda. They’ll decide which issues to address, how to address them, and which environments are the best targets. They’ll be responsible for documenting outreach and comparing it with things like smoking rates, behavioral health, disease rates, and distracted driving rates, continually revising public policy until results are achieved.
Proactive Approaches: Promoting Healthy Living
In addition to educating the public about disease, most health commissioners that lead a department of health will be centrally focused on promoting healthy living that can combat chronic disease inherently. In this role, they might find themselves teaming up with those in charge of creating public parks, installing new recreation facilities, or developing programs that reach out to youth and encourage them to get active.
A Broad Leadership Position with a Central Focus on Wellness
At the end of the day, the health commissioner is a leader when it comes to connecting people with government agencies that can prevent disease, encourage wellness, and provide options for those looking to prevent the onset of everything from a smoking addiction to diabetes. By successfully managing a team of like-minded individuals and reaching out to the community on a regular basis, public health commissioners accomplish this task with increasing success nationwide and around the world.
What are common functions of this type of public health leader?
A health commissioner works with community boards of health and other public health stakeholders. Together, they develop a public health vision and create a sense of vision for the health of the community. These public health workers have a political role in that they identify issues in health policies and works toward policy change in the area of public health. They work to translate policy decisions and changes into community health services and programs. In this role, guiding and mediating investigation and resolution of conflicts with government agencies and public health stakeholders can be expected. Communicating important health education and public health information is part of the job, as well as developing teams and systems to serve the community.
What are common education backgrounds of a Health Commissioner?
These public health workers typically study nursing, public health, or business. Nearly 30% hold a master’s degree, often a master of public health degree. About 52% hold a bachelor’s degree in one of these areas of study, with the remainder holding a doctorate or other degree. Experience and education in business administration and human resources can be helpful, providing insight into financial management of programs in the department of health. From disease prevention to emergency preparedness, the public health professionals are ready to lead and solve problems.
What is the professional organization that these public health
workers would belong to?
Health Commissioners and other public health officials may join the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). Their mission is to improve community health by strengthening and advocating for local health departments. NACCHO is dedicated to serving every local health department in the United States. NACCHO serves the leaders of 3000 local health departments and provides professional resources and continuing education programs.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) is the profession organization for Public Health professionals. With a vision to “Create the healthiest nation in one generation,” APHA promotes the health of all people and communities. Strengthening the public health profession and speaking out on public health issues and evidence based policies is their goal. APHA is influential in federal public health policy and has nearly 150 years of public health perspective, bringing together members from all areas of public health. APHA’s mission is to improve the health of the public and achieve health equity among all people. Their values represent the beliefs of their members from all disciplines of public health and public health workers from over 40 countries.
MPH Staff, December 2022
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