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Franklin County Public Health Situational Update
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July 2025
Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) wants to stay connected with our partners in creating informed and healthy communities. This newsletter is here to serve as a tool for you to share resources for your community, schools, and families in your district.
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HealthMap 2025
FCPH, along with their Office of Epidemiology and Data, released a new community health assessment, HealthMap 2025, in collaboration with Columbus Public Health and the Central Ohio Hospital Council. HealthMap 2025 priorities were selected by a group of community partners and will guide FCPH's work over the next few years to make Franklin County healthier. Priorities include: housing, mental health, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), maternal and infant health, and violence and injury-related deaths.
To learn more about HealthMap 2025, please visit the FCPH Data Hub.
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Health Works Franklin County Community Health Improvement Plan Update
FCPH hosted our annual in-person Health Works Franklin County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) update meeting on June 26. We were joined by partners from Ohio Better Birth Outcomes, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, ADAMH Board, African American Male Wellness Agency, and SmartColumbus to learn about the ongoing work in support of our CHIP priorities. We were also pleased to welcome recently appointed Deputy County Administrator Damika Withers to hear about the county’s work in the equity space. FCPH staff presented on their work happening internally and we received an overview of HealthMap 2025 as well as the newly identified priority areas that will likely guide our next CHIP. Visit the Health Works Franklin County website to view the presentations and learn more about the CHIP.
If you're interested in joining us for the next Health Works meeting, please register here.
Franklin County District Advisory Council
Board of Health Member Opening
The Franklin County District Advisory Council (DAC) is currently accepting letters of interest from individuals who would like to serve as a member of the Franklin County Board of Health. Application instructions can be found on the FCPH website.
A special meeting of the Franklin County DAC will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The DAC is required by state statute (Ohio Revised Code 3709.03) for the purpose of appointing members to the Board of Health. This special meeting is needed to appoint a person to fill a vacated term on the board due to a resignation.
The DAC meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security, 5300 Strawberry Farms Blvd, Columbus, OH 43230. The Franklin County Township Association meeting will immediately follow the DAC meeting at the same location.
Please register no later than Thursday, July 17, if you plan to attend. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact Joe Mazzola at (614) 493-1411 or at joemazzola@franklincountyohio.gov.
Lisa Dent, Associate Director of Equity and Inclusion
During the last Health Works Franklin County quarterly update, FCPH presented an overview of the new FCPH Equity Advisory Council (EAC) Strategic Plan, along with updates from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners on its commitment to continue activating the RISE Poverty Blueprint and operationalizing economic inclusion and community engagement.
The next virtual EAC monthly meeting is scheduled for July 28, from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Reach out to Lisa Dent at lisadent@franklincountyohio.gov for additional information about the EAC or related topics.
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2025 Measles Update
Click here to review information for 2025 Measles Cases and Outbreaks.
Epidemiology Reports
Due to reporting changes, Epidemiology reports are published quarterly. The data shown in the report is only representative of Franklin County Public Health’s jurisdictions which exclude Worthington and the City of Columbus. The next report will be published on August 1, 2025.
New Vaccine Clinic Location
FCPH is pleased to announce a new vaccine clinic location! Come see us at the Groveport Recreation Center located at 7370 Groveport Road. FCPH nurses will be onsite on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Sign up for your appointment today!
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Summer Picnic Food Safety: Tips from Franklin County Public Health
Picnics are a fun way to enjoy the summer weather, but warm temperatures also increases the risk of foodborne illness. Bacteria that cause illness grow quickly in the "Danger Zone," which is between 41°F and 135°F. To stay safe, it’s important to plan ahead and follow food safety practices before, during, and after your outdoor meal.
Plan Ahead
Prepare a menu with food items that can be safely stored and transported. Bring enough coolers, ice, and utensils. Include hand sanitizer, clean containers, and a thermometer to check food temperatures.
Safe Transportation
Keep cold food at or below 41°F. Use well-insulated coolers and place them in the air-conditioned part of your car. Do not put them in the trunk. To maintain cooler temperature, store drinks in a separate cooler to reduce frequent opening.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
Always wash your hands before handling food. Prepare ready-to-eat items before raw meat. Use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables and clean all surfaces between uses. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat or fish.
Cook and Serve at Safe Temperatures
Cook meats to safe internal temperatures, which includes: 165°F for poultry, 160°F for ground meat, and 145°F for beef, pork, and fish. Keep hot foods above 135°F, and discard perishable foods left out for over two hours or after one hour in temperatures above 90°F.
Key Reminders
Store, cook, and serve food safely to protect yourself and others. Always keep food out of the Danger Zone and practice good hygiene. When in doubt, throw it out!
By following these safety tips, you can enjoy your summer picnic without the risk of foodborne illness.
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The 2025 ACEs, PACEs and Addiction Summit is only a few weeks away! This year's summit will take place Monday, July 21, at the Quest Conference Center on Worthington Road in Westerville, Ohio.
This highly anticipated event is expected to bring together more than 300 participants for a day of thought-provoking discussions, evidence-based insights, and valuable networking opportunities. Attendees will engage with leading experts and explore the latest research, strategies, and innovations focused on addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and promoting protective and compensatory experiences (PACEs) to build stronger, healthier communities.
The keynote speakers will be Assistant Minority Leader Representative Dontavius Jarrells (D) and Dr. Wendy Ellis, Assistant Professor & Director for Center for Community Resilience at The George Washington University.
We hope to see you there!
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Franklin County Heat Advisory
Summer has officially arrived in Franklin County and it is bringing the heat! On June 23, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Heat Advisory for Franklin County that extended through 8:00 p.m. on June 27.
The FCPH Emergency Preparedness team met with an external Weather Planning Group made up of partner agencies multiple times throughout the week to obtain and provide community updates. As of June 26, there were 57 Heat Related Illness (HRI) cases from this extreme heat wave event.
FCPH shared heat related guidance and tips for staying safe and cool on social media and provided links to cooling centers and fan distribution with our cities, townships and villages. Internal messaging was shared with staff as well.
Temperatures are expected to be on the rise throughout the holiday weekend - don't let heat related illness ruin your 4th of July.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Avoid over-exposure to the sun.
- Wear sunscreen and take breaks inside.
- Check on your friends, family and neighbors.
- Especially older adults and those that don't have access to AC.
- Double check to make sure kids and pets aren't left in hot cars.
Keep an eye on FCPH social media for updates on cooling center locations and hours if another heat advisory is issued! Thanks to all our partners who work together to keep Franklin County safe and cool!
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