Mission, vision, and values
The Office of Local and Regional Health collaboratively supports local public health in improving health for every individual who lives, works, and plays across Massachusetts. The Office works closely with partners to build and sustain a strong public health infrastructure. We are committed to advancing equity and promoting innovative solutions and practices, and we strive to strengthen partnerships.
A diagram of OLRH's Vision, Mission, and Values. We believe every person in Massachusetts can equitably access excellent local public health services to be their healthiest self. We work with partners to build capacity toward achieving efficient, effective, and equitable local public health services for all people. We are committed to advancing equity, promoting innovative public health practices; and strengthening partnerships.
Strategic plan
OLRH's strategic plan supports our overarching vision, mission, and values. It details each of the statements above and creates a plan for how our Office will achieve its goals.
- Priority Area One: Strengthen equity-centered office infrastructure
- Priority Area Two: Lead equitable local public health system improvements
Read the Strategic Plan | (DOCX)
Our commitment to racial equity
OLRH, aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is committed to advancing racial equity to serve all Massachusetts residents and strengthen populations’ potential to create healthier municipalities throughout the state.
OLRH acknowledges the history as well as the current reality of structural racism and its impact on health. OLRH leads explicitly, but not exclusively, with race. The Office recognizes that people of color have experienced and continue to experience racism, discrimination, and oppression. The Office further acknowledges the historical and current oppression of other populations and the importance of valuing the multiple identities individuals hold.
Learn more about how we're working to build a more equitable Massachusetts
State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE 2.0)
Public Health is based on the idea that everyone should have the opportunity to be as healthy and safe as possible. Your ZIP code should not be a factor in the kinds of resources you can access.
Governor Healey signed the Economic Development Bill into law on Nov. 20, 2024, which included M.G.L. c. 111 s. 27D and Sections 307-309 of Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024, more commonly known as SAPHE 2.0.
The aim of SAPHE 2.0 is to strengthen the protections local public health offers everyone in Massachusetts. Local public health is there to help you become the healthiest you can be and protect you from emerging health threats.
Read more about what SAPHE 2.0 is and what it means for local public health
Local public health in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a unique governance structure, which allows each of the 351 cities and towns autonomy in the way it operates so that it best meets their diverse community’s need.
OLRH organizational structure
OLRH is structured into four units, aligned with the Special Commission's Blueprint recommendations.
OLRH organizational chart. Top level is the Office Director; 2nd level is the Office Deputy Director; 3rd level under the Deputy Director is each OLRH Business Unit with their responsibilities -- Performance Standards & Data Unit, Workforce Development Unit, Shared Services Unit. A 2nd level under the Office Director is the Engagement & Policy Unit.
Engagement
OLRH collaborates with a variety of public health partners, including professional membership organizations, non-governmental organizations, non-profits, and other state-level offices.
We partner with the Coalition for Local Public Health (CLPH), the Massachusetts Large Cities Health Coalition (MLCHC), and others to ensure the local public health voice is heard by the Department of Public Health, and ensure resources are directed where they are needed most.
Annual Report
This report showcases our recent efforts to enhance local public health services across Massachusetts and includes programmatic summaries, notable accomplishments, engagement efforts, and funding. We aim to highlight the ways in which OLRH both guides and partners with local public health in creating a strong local public health system.