Published on April 03, 2025
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) today released its 2024 Public Health Snapshot. The snapshot highlights LLCHD efforts to enhance the health and safety of the community through a range of vital services, effective programs and new initiatives.
“The complete scope of our work is more than what can be captured here but this snapshot is reflective of how the Health Department and our team continue to evolve and excel in meeting the needs of our residents and helping everyone live their healthiest lives,” said Kerry Kernen, Health Director.
The Public Health Snapshot is posted on the Health Department website at lincoln.ne.gov/health. Highlights of the 16-page report include:
New Community Health Priorities Selected
The Health Department along with Bryan Health and CHI Health St. Elizabeth convenes more than 75 partnering organizations every three years at a Community Health Summit to identify and prioritize the most concerning health challenges among residents of Lancaster County. The Community Health Summit was held in September 2024. Partners used results from the 2024 Community Health Assessment to help determine the next cycle of health-related priorities that shaped the new Community Health Improvement Plan, which launched in early 2025.
New priority areas are:
- Access to health care
- Depression
- Suicide Prevention
Over the three-year cycle, workgroups will move planning to action, which will result in real change for the community. Learn more about creating a healthier community at lincoln.ne.gov/CHIP.
Self-Service Online Portal Launched
The Health Department launched a self-service online portal to streamline services for residents and businesses. The portal offers the option of applying for or renewing food, air, body art, water or waste permits, requesting inspections and submitting payments electronically. This secure and user-friendly system modernizes the Environmental Public Health Division’s operations, enhancing accessibility and transparency for Lincoln and Lancaster County residents.
The new online system also improves staff efficiency by enabling electronic inspections and automating workflows to create a more seamless and paperless process. The portal is available at ephportal.lincoln.ne.gov.
Family Connects Celebrates One Year, Reaches 1,000 Visits
The Health Department celebrated the first anniversary of Family Connects in 2024. The program offers all Lincoln and Lancaster County families with a new baby a home visit from a highly trained public health nurse within three weeks following birth.
Nurses provide support and resources for families to get their children off to a healthy start. Participation is voluntary and the visit is at no cost. As of February, nurses have made more than 1,000 visits. Learn more or schedule a visit at lincoln.ne.gov/FamilyConnects.
LLCHD Public Health Clinic
The Health Department’s Public Health Clinic is a safety net provider of vaccines for children and adults, especially for those who may be uninsured or not connected to a medical home. Over the last year, 8,426 children and 5,452 adults received routine vaccinations through the clinic.
The clinic also serves newly arrived refugees by providing health screenings and vaccinations as well as linking them to a medical home for ongoing preventive care. The clinic served 980 refugees in 2024. Refugees came from many countries including Afghanistan, Burma, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Guatemala, Haiti, Iraq, Kenya, Myanmar, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Dental Services
Good oral health is a critical component of overall health and well-being. Dental Services provides preventive, routine and emergency dental care to low-income children and adults without dental insurance or enrolled in Medicaid. Outreach programs include Lincoln and Lancaster County School Screenings, Early Head Start Fluoride Varnish Program and education and outreach events for vulnerable populations. The Dental Clinic provided 13,746 visits and dental staff provided 1,362 dental screenings and fluoride varnish applications to Early Head Start, Head Start and early childhood development centers.
Youth Substance Use Prevention
The Health Department initiated a Youth Substance Use Prevention initiative to identify needs and opportunities to support the well-being of young people in Lancaster County. A task force was formed to review data, conduct an environmental scan, and gather community insight through key interviews and group listening sessions. From these assessments, the task force made recommendations for action in four key areas: elevate youth as change makers, strengthen community resilience, expand existing targeted interventions, and support coordinated Systems of Care.
A full report with recommendations is available at lincoln.ne.gov/OD. The Health Department is now identifying key strategic partnerships for implementing recommendations.
Enhanced Wastewater Surveillance
LLCHD partnered with Biobot Analytics, WastewaterSCAN, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to expand wastewater surveillance. Samples from Lincoln’s two water resource recovery facilities are regularly collected and analyzed, identifying pathogens such as flu, respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, COVID-19, norovirus, and more. Samples are tested weekly and testing can also detect high-risk substances including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine. Wastewater surveillance data can help identify trends early and guides public health response.
Rabies Prevention
Lincoln Animal Control maintains a responsive and full array of domestic and wildlife services within the city limits. The division ensures pet licensing – 62,705 dogs and cats are licensed within Lincoln – and rabies vaccination along with prevention education. Animal Control partners with the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center for bat testing. Approximately, 268 bats were tested for rabies over the last year and six tested positive. One fox also tested positive for rabies.
About LLCHD: The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is an accredited public health department that serves the community through a range of services and programs aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, and clean air; providing dental care and life-saving immunizations; protecting pets; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies and natural disasters.
LLCHD is the oldest and largest local health department in the state of Nebraska. Its mission is to protect and promote the public’s health. LLCHD serves residents in both urban and rural communities including those living in Lincoln and in 23 rural towns, villages, or unincorporated villages, or on farms and acreages.
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