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Tompkins County Whole Health reviews 2024 data, public health fellows outline CHA/CHIP and water work
Summary
Whole Health presented 2024 program highlights and fellows described the community health assessment, a planned CHIP, and drinking-water regulatory support; the department launched an internal realignment review and expects to submit the CHA to the state.
Tompkins County’s Whole Health department presented a 2024 data summary and updates Dec. 15, highlighting prevention, environmental health and the public health fellows program.
Department staff reported roughly 300 social-media posts, 70 community events, 924 food establishment inspections, 579 rabies vaccinations, 131 public water supply inspections, and nearly 30,000 mental health clinic appointments in 2024. The department also noted 233 child immunizations and 347 adult immunizations recorded in the year. Jenny (Whole Health) said the department has begun a participatory internal realignment process with consultants to reassess how programs are grouped for impact and efficiency and that more detail will be available next year.
Two public health fellows described their work. Anushka summarized the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP): a countywide survey in March with about 1,800 resident responses, qualitative interviews with residents and partners, and cross-sector partner surveys to align priorities; the CHA was near completion and expected to be submitted to the New York State Department of Health. Allison outlined drinking-water work: monitoring roughly 160 systems countywide (from large municipal to 5-unit wells), supporting operators through new federal lead and PFAS regulations (58 federally regulated systems), reviewing annual water-quality reports, and supporting responses to two action-level exceedances and roughly 30 boil-water events reported in 2025.
Committee members asked for follow-up on pediatric dental access and whether schools were offering free dental screenings; Whole Health said it would gather specifics and return with more information in 2026. Members praised the fellows and department staff for the data summary and program work.
No formal committee action was taken; the presentation was informational and staff indicated they will return with further details and follow-ups next year.
