Our History

The Story So Far: Our History

In 1859 the Indianapolis Common Council established the first official and permanent Board of Health.

As far back as the 1820s, Marion County residents faced public health crises ranging from cholera to smallpox to typhoid fever — and yet, public support for organized health measures had been inconsistent. 

Finally, once the Board of Health was established, health workers could begin efforts to protect the community: They had the power to compel vaccinations. They could construct temporary hospitals in response to emergencies. They regulated sanitation and sewer facilities, inspected food, tested water and controlled garbage disposal.

By the early 20th century, officials were already performing a lot of the functions of public health that are still the responsibility of the Marion County Public Health Department.

There have been so many discoveries and improvements.

It’s been a long road, and never an easy one. Even now, constant vigilance and highly trained experts are necessary to maintain our mission. 

From 1984’s lead poisoning prevention program, to the campaign for healthy babies that began in 1987; from the launch of Ryan White HIV Services in 1991 to 2018’s Safe Syringe Access program to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 — the scope of our mission and vision continues to evolve.