L.A. County Public Health Earns 12 National Achievement Awards for Innovation and Impact

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has been nationally recognized for its dedication to improving the lives of residents across the region, receiving 12 Achievement Awards from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The accolades celebrate innovative, effective programs that advance public health and wellbeing in one of the nation’s most populous and diverse counties.

Each year, NACCHO’s Achievement Awards highlight local health departments that are meeting community needs with exemplary and replicable programs. The 2025 awards for Los Angeles County include six “Model Practice” recognitions and six “Promising Practice” honors—demonstrating a wide spectrum of excellence, from maternal health to disease prevention and emergency preparedness.

“This national recognition reflects the scope, complexity, and importance of public health infrastructure in Los Angeles,” said Gustavo Friederichsen, CEO of the Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA). “We commend Dr. Barbara Ferrer and her team for delivering impactful, community-centered programs that improve lives and inspire collaboration across sectors. These achievements are a reminder that investing in public health saves lives—and strengthens the entire healthcare system.”

A Closer Look at the Recognized Programs

Model Practice Awards

These awards honor programs with measurable success, strong outcomes, and scalable models:

• California Children’s Services Call Center – Revamped with a ticketing system to improve responsiveness and workflow transparency for providers and families.

• Healthy Brain LA – A cross-sector collaborative to improve quality of life for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

• Community Health Ambassador Program (CHAP) – Leveraged community ambassadors to distribute HIV self-test kits, achieving a 7% positivity rate among high-risk populations.

• TB Control in Substance Abuse Facilities – Developed a screening and treatment model for TB in unlicensed community-based facilities serving vulnerable populations.

• Abundant Birth Project – A groundbreaking guaranteed income pilot for pregnant individuals, aimed at reducing stress and improving birth outcomes.

• Youth Advisory Council – A diverse group of high school and college students shaping youth-centered health initiatives, especially around mental health equity.

Promising Practice Awards

These emerging programs are considered innovative and show strong potential for national replication:

• Adult Vaping Media Campaign – A digital-first campaign reached over 10 million people, encouraging vaping cessation through LA Quits resources.

• Produce Prescription Program – “Food as Medicine” model lets physicians prescribe fresh produce to patients for better nutrition outcomes.

• Domestic Violence Restraining Order Mapping – A survivor-informed redesign of the DVRO process to improve access and trauma-informed care.

• Smoke/Vape Shop Project – Policy recommendations to limit youth access to harmful, unregulated substances.

• Community Readiness Champions – Emergency response training for residents in CPR, naloxone use, and mental health awareness during crises.

• Home Visiting Program Restoration – Relaunched evidence-based programs like Nurse-Family Partnership and Healthy Families America to support high-need families, achieving above-average birth outcomes and immunization rates.

Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, emphasized the importance of innovation during a time of uncertainty.

“Public Health is facing significant challenges and uncertainties due to funding pressures, but one thing is clear: We are effective and committed to ensuring that residents have the resources needed to be healthy and thrive,” said Dr. Ferrer. “We are grateful to NACCHO for recognizing the creative, impactful, and inclusive work of our teams and partners.”

A Shared Commitment to Health Equity

These awards reinforce Los Angeles County’s ongoing commitment to addressing health disparities through data-driven, community-informed programs. From frontline health equity initiatives to digital engagement campaigns, the Department of Public Health continues to lead with innovation and resilience.

As LACMA continues to advocate for policies that strengthen public health, we proudly recognize these achievements and applaud the collaborative efforts that drive meaningful change for physicians and patients alike.

For more information about the NACCHO Achievement Awards, visit naccho.org. To explore LACMA’s ongoing public health partnerships and advocacy, visit www.ladocs.org.