In the Commonwealth, all 351 cities and towns and two federally-recognized tribes have a Board of Health and/or health department responsible for delivering public health services to everyone who lives, works, and plays in their communities. These services are defined by state laws and regulations, and some cities and towns go further to create rules specific to their community. Many Massachusetts communities have shared public health services arrangements to deliver services more effectively and efficiently.
Local public health departments, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, work to improve the quality of life for everyone in the Commonwealth and eliminate racial inequities that disproportionately impact communities of color and result in poor health outcomes. Local public health departments are committed to advancing racial equity and strive to provide effective, equitable, understandable, and respectful quality care and services to the diverse communities we serve.
Massachusetts’ local boards of health are responsible for a complex set of responsibilities, including enforcement of state sanitary, environmental, housing, and health codes. These responsibilities are essential for ensuring the health and safety of our communities.