Washington, DC, June 24, 2024 - The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the voice of the over 3,300 local health departments across the country, has released two new policy statements regarding strategies to prevent intimate partner violence and protecting public health authority for local health departments. Each policy statement provides guidance and recommendations for local health departments, informs policymakers of important public health issues and solutions, and guides NACCHO’s policy efforts.

• Public Health Authority Policy Statement: In recent years, efforts to undermine the legal authority of public health officials has been seen at the federal, state, and local level. Restrictions to public health authority, combined with insufficient investment in the longevity of public health systems and a shrinking workforce, will make it harder for public health officials to respond to another pandemic or conduct other efforts to prevent or lessen the impact of other day-to-day health hazards. NACCHO’s policy statement expresses support for policies that aim to ensure that public health officials can continue to protect the health of everyone living in the United States and supports legislation and policies that affirm public health authority.

• Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Policy Statement: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common and impacts millions of people in the United States each year. In fact, more than 12 million U.S. adults experience physical assault from an intimate partner every year. NACCHO’s policy statement expresses support for public health approaches at the national, state, and local levels that promote community partnerships, legal protections, housing and other basic needs, and prevention, intervention, and education. These efforts aim to provide safety to those experiencing IPV, coordinate access to treatment and services for those who experience and perpetrate IPV, and educate communities on the signs of violent and abusive behaviors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IPV effects youth under 18 and has a disproportionate impact across various demographic groups including, racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQIA +, and people with physical and mental health impairments.

“Local health departments play key roles in informing local policy solutions, implementing best practices, and raising awareness about critical issues that impact the health and safety of their residents,” said Lori Tremmel Freeman, NACCHO’s Chief Executive Officer. “NACCHO’s new policy statements provide a roadmap to help address intimate partner violence, as well as to highlight the importance of and need for the public health authorities that give them the critical tools to fulfill their mission for the public. It’s imperative that we support policies that uphold the expertise of health officials, strengthen community partnerships, implement initiatives that protect communities, and empower local health departments.”

In addition to the two new policy statements, the following policy statements were updated and approved by the NACCHO Board of Directors to date in 2024:

• Climate Change
• Evidence-Informed Public Health
• Foundational Public Health Services
• Increasing Federal, State, and Local Partnership in Addressing Healthcare-Associated Infections
• Integration of Services and Supports for Community Health
• Mobilizing for Action Through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP)
• Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms
• Pandemic and Severe Seasonal Respiratory Virus Therapeutics
• Public Health Nurses
• Universal Motorcycle Helmet Laws

NACCHO positions are developed by NACCHO’s subject matter expert advisory groups and formally reviewed and adopted by the Board of Directors, which is made up of local health officials from across the country. Policy statements inform and support NACCHO’s national advocacy for local health departments and programmatic work. They also support the local voice in policy development, programs, and stakeholder education.

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About NACCHO

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the over 3,300 local governmental health departments across the country. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information, visit www.naccho.org.