The Californer - Long Beach Health Department Marks 120 Years of Public Health Service During National Public Health Week

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Above: Long Beach Health and Human Services participates in the 2024 Long Beach Pride Parade.

Long Beach, CA – As part of National Public Health Week, April 6 through 12, 2026, the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) is recognizing 120 years of dedicated service. This milestone underscores more than a century of work protecting the community's health and wellbeing and highlights the department's vital role in the history and future of Long Beach.

"From clean water and safe food to disease prevention and access to health services, public health touches every aspect of our daily lives," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "As we recognize Public Health Week, we also celebrate the generations of public health professionals and community partners who have worked to keep Long Beach healthy over the past 120 years."

National Public Health Week provides an opportunity to recognize the vital role of local public health departments during a time when public health systems nationwide face growing challenges and increasing demand for services and support. The City remains committed to protecting the health of its residents through evidence-based programs, community partnerships and continued investment in prevention. Now more than ever, the Health Department is focused on strengthening community health, advancing prevention efforts and preparing for the public health challenges of the future.

The Health Department is a recognized leader in public health and earned national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board in 2016 for meeting high standards of care. As one of only three city-operated health departments in California, it is known for its innovative efforts in both crisis response and long-term community health. These efforts include developing a state-recognized model for early COVID-19 vaccine distribution to essential workers, establishing the first municipal Office of Equity in Southern California and receiving the NACCHO Model Practice Award for its Health Equity Investment Framework, a peer-reviewed recognition for effective and replicable public health solutions.

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Public health services were first introduced in Long Beach in the 1890s with the establishment of a City public health board. In 1906, Dr. Harriman-Jones was appointed as the City's first part-time Health Officer and operated early public health services out of City Hall on Pine Avenue, establishing the department in Long Beach. In those early years, public health efforts focused on controlling infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria and whooping cough, while also improving food safety for residents.

As the city grew, the Health Department expanded its work to meet emerging challenges. During the 1920s and 1930s, sanitation programs and food inspections became key tools to prevent disease. When smallpox was reported in 1926, the department mobilized quickly and distributed more than 50,000 immunizations within weeks, preventing a widespread outbreak. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Department oversaw the distribution of more than 334,000 COVID vaccines and over more than 1 million COVID-19 tests, helping to protect residents and slow the spread of the virus. They also continue to administer an average of 4,200 vaccines annually, including flu, COVID and other childhood vaccines that protect Long Beach residents from infectious disease.

Over time, services expanded to include maternal and child health services, substance use treatment, environmental health and infectious disease response. During the 1980s, the Health Department emerged as an early leader in the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Today, the department provides care, testing and prevention services through its HIV Care and Coordination Clinic. As of 2025, 95.6% of patients have achieved an undetectable viral load, significantly higher than the national average.

The Health Department has also played a vital role during times of crisis. After the devastating 1933 Long Beach earthquake damaged water and sewer systems across the city, public health staff worked with state and regional partners to enforce sanitation standards and prevent waterborne disease outbreaks. Despite the difficult conditions, no cases of cholera or typhoid were reported in Long Beach. Just as staff ensured safe water and sanitation then, the department continues to prepare for public health emergencies through planning, coordination and community response today. This includes partnering with other City departments to prepare and protect the community from the impacts of winter storms, extreme heat and other adverse weather; supporting sheltering for residents displaced by fires or utility failures; and helping ensure safety at large-scale events such as the Grand Prix of Long Beach and the upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Behind these efforts are hundreds of public health professionals working across environmental health, disease prevention, community health, emergency preparedness, housing and homeless services and violence prevention. Together, they work every day to protect and improve the health and wellness of our community.

"For 120 years, public health professionals in Long Beach have worked to protect residents from emerging health threats while expanding services that help people live healthier lives," said Alison King, Director of the Long Beach Health and Human Services. "National Public Health Week is an opportunity to reflect on this history and reaffirm our commitment to the community."

Community members can support local health efforts by making a tax-deductible donation to the Health and Human Services Fund (HHS Fund) through the Long Beach Community Foundation. By contributing to the Together for a Healthier Long Beach campaign, HHS Fund supporters help get more essential and health resources to neighbors who need them most. Charitable gifts also strengthen local nonprofits and invest in dedicated public health workers who keep our community healthy.

About the City of Long Beach

Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Long Beach Health Department is available at longbeach.gov/health and on Instagram, Facebook and X.

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