The Office of Health Planning is responsible for guiding and coordinating the planning activities of Columbus Public Health, its divisions and programs.

The office does this by:

• Developing processes to help create and implement the department’s strategic plan.
• Identifying and organizing community collaborations to improve efficiency and effectiveness of public health efforts.
• Providing resources and support to assist senior department leadership in decision making.
• Providing tools and resources to help community residents improve their health.

Two initiatives currently being developed by the Office of Health Planning include:

A Community Health Plan on Immunizations
In response to the recent development of new vaccines and revised vaccination schedules:

• Some 30 community stakeholders representing the public health, medical, pharmaceutical, health advocacy, social service and education fields have been brought together to develop a community plan to increase immunization rates.
• This plan, when completed in 2010, will better protect public health by providing added protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Columbus Public Health Farmers Market
Many chronic health conditions – including diabetes, overweight and obesity – are related to poor nutrition. Columbus Public Health holds three farmers markets each year in an effort to bring healthier food to Columbus neighborhoods.

• This year’s market dates have not been set - please check back. They have taken place on the Department grounds at 240 Parsons Ave., Columbus, Ohio
• A limited number of free produce vouchers have been available each year to those enrolled in Franklin County’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
• The Ohio Direction Card (food stamps) have also been accepted at the market.

Improving Access to Healthy Food: A Community Planning Tool
2005, Columbus Public Health