Advancing local public health through transition of traditional direct services

In 2011, 60% of the New Orleans Health department budget funded struggling primary care clinics. The department lacked basic policies and procedures, programs Operated in isolation, and though all City organizations were facing cuts, the possibility of disbanding the Health Department was under consideration.

Expending extensive resources on primary care inhibited the department from performing the primary public health functions of assessment, assurance, and policy development. Department leadership set a vision to transform into a 21st century model for the nation, capable of addressing the serious population health challenges of modern New Orleans. NOHD executed an ambitious transformation plan, transitioning out of primary care and using the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) accreditation standards as a framework to build organizational capacity and provide excellent public health services.

As a 2012 RWJF Roadmaps to Health Prizewinner, NOHD facilitates partnership initiatives to assure access to care, prevent violence, promote healthy lifestyles, enrich family health, and enhance the local public health system through community collaboration and engagement. Internally, NOHD has established performance management, workforce development, and other elements of administrative infrastructure to deliver the highest quality service.