Ald. Chantia Lewis
(414) 286-3767
The Common Council today approved legislation creating a Board of Health to play a
multifaceted role in helping to promote, protect and improve the health and wellbeing of
Milwaukee residents. The measure to create the Board of Health – Council File #180919 – is an ordinance authored by Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, and was unanimously approved by the Council. The ordinance creates a nine-member Board to be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council.
“The Board of Health will function as a partner with the Mayor, Common Council, and
the Milwaukee Health Department (MHD), and will work to improve overall public health
outcomes by ensuring a constant flow of information focused on key health issues,” said Ald. Lewis. “This effort and focus will allow the Council to allocate resources for MHD programming and other services to citizens where needed.”
“It is my belief and hope that the Board will help all of us achieve a much healthier
Milwaukee for our current residents and future generations,” continued Ald. Lewis.
According to the ordinance, the Board would:
- Assure the enforcement of state public health statutes and public health rules of
the state Department of Health Services as prescribed for a level III local health
department.
- Assure the Health Department operates as a level III local health department as
defined by the state. - Report to the state Department of Health Services as required.
- Meet at least quarterly.
- Assess public health needs and advocate for the provision of reasonable and
necessary public health services. - Develop policy and provide leadership that fosters local involvement and
commitment, that emphasizes public health needs and that advocates for
equitable distribution of public health resources and complementary private
activities commensurate with public health needs. - Assure that measures are taken to provide an environment in which individuals
can be healthy.
