Public Health

Act 192 of the 1898 Louisiana Legislature established the Board of Health for the City of New Orleans. Prior to that, the city’s health was managed locally outlined in the city charter. The 1954 Home Rule Charter established the City’s Department of Health and a five member Board of Health in accordance with state law. Recording of vital records is left to the city’s Board of Health until the 1970s, when duties were transferred to the State Department of Health. The full scope of vital records available in our collection, along with records of hospitals in the New Orleans area are outlined in our Guide to Genealogical Materials. The New Orleans Board of Health was dissolved with the 1994 City Charter updates and the current New Orleans Health Department oversees local health concerns.