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Franklin County Public Health Situational Update
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January 2026
Franklin County Public Health 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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2026 Jurisdiction Call Survey
FCPH wants to hear from you! We want to ensure our monthly Jurisdiction Updates continue to meet your needs and serve your interests. Please complete the included survey to share your thoughts about the structure, topics, and content included in these calls and let us know how we can continuously improve. Thank you in advance for your feedback
Health is Real Podcast
Health is Real is ringing in the new year by chatting with FCPH Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola and County Administrator Ken Wilson! We learn more about their backgrounds and what led them to their current roles, discuss the biggest moments in Franklin County from 2025 and look ahead to what’s happening in 2026. Also, Ken Wilson in center field? Joe Mazzola at first base? In honor of Franklin County being the owner/operator of the Columbus Clippers, we have fun discussing what positions we’d play if we suited up for the hometown team. Take a listen on any podcast platform or the FCPH website.
New Language Map on the Data Hub
Knowing which languages are spoken at home in Franklin County can help us to communicate important public health information in a more equitable way. With that in mind, a new map highlighting which languages are spoken in the homes of Franklin County has been posted to the FCPH Data Hub.
This data from 2023 breaks down the top 5 languages and language groups spoken in each neighborhood of Franklin County. As we continue to gather new language data, we will continue to update the map. Visit the Data Hub's About Your Community webpage to learn more.
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Infectious Disease Program
Flu activity is high and increasing across Franklin County and Ohio. A new flu strain is contributing to a significant rise in hospitalizations and emergency department visits. The flu vaccine is the best protection against severe illness, especially for kids, older adults, and those with chronic conditions. It’s not too late to get vaccinated. Franklin County Public Health is urging residents to get their flu shot as flu cases continue to rise across Ohio. Even if it doesn’t prevent illness, the vaccine can reduce the risk of severe complications and hospitalization.
FCPH offers clinics at four locations and appointments can be conveniently scheduled through our website or by calling (614) 525-3719.
More information about seasonal flu is available on the Ohio Department of Health’s website. Please view Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff’s press conference and news release for more information on flu activity around the state.
Review the January Epidemiology Presentation.
Immunizations
It's respiratory disease season and that includes more than just the flu. Please visit Franklin County Public Health's vaccine page to schedule your immunization against flu, RSV, Covid-19 and more.
Clinics are open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Schedule your appointment online. Walk-in appointments are also available.
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Health Systems & Planning |
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Please join us at the 2026 CHAT Summit, which will be held on Tuesday, January 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Discover Shine Bright Community Center, 4590 E Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43213.
The event will highlight the work of the Community Health Action Teams (CHATs), provide insightful presentations from guest speakers, and offer networking opportunities.
We're pleased to feature Erika Clark Jones, CEO of the ADAMH Board, as our keynote speaker for the event. Her experience spans across public health, public affairs, public policy, community engagement, strategy development and management, and covers 19 years in the Office of the Mayor for the City of Columbus as Deputy Director of the Community Relations Commission, Policy Director, and Director of the Office of Homeless Advocacy. Additionally, Erika led the CelebrateOne initiative to reduce infant mortality in Central Ohio.
Mark your calendars and please register by January 16.
Email any questions to FCPHCHAT@franklincountyohio.gov.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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January is Radon Awareness Action Month. You've probably seen several stories about radon in the news over the past few months, so now is great time to learn what radon is and how you can keep you and your family safe.
Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas. It comes from the earth and may enter your home from below the foundation through cracks in the floors, walls, and holes in the foundation from drains and sump pumps. Radon levels are generally higher in the basement of ground floor rooms that are in contact with the soil.
Is it dangerous?
When the gas is inhaled, the radioactive particles can damage your lung tissue and cause lung cancer. The only way to know if you home has high levels of radon, is to test. If your test results show radon levels of 4.0 pCi/L or greater, contact an Ohio licensed radon mitigation professional.
Should you test your home?
According to the Ohio Department of Health, elevated levels of indoor radon have been found in homes in every county of Ohio, and each year, approximately 50% of all homes that are tested in Ohio have elevated levels of radon. Luckily, testing your home is easy and inexpensive Short-term radon test kits are available at all Columbus Metropolitan Library locations or, you can request a FREE test kit from Ohio Department of Health.
Food Renewals
As a reminder, food licenses expire every year on March 1, and it will be here before you know it. Food establishments can make their renewal payments through our Accela Customer Portal starting on February 1 and through March 1. They will receive a PIN code to the email that we have on file, which is needed to make an online payment. Please reach out to our Food Safety Team if you have any questions.
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