Population Health and Disease Prevention

The Population Health and Disease Prevention Division aims to create systems, environments, and policies that promote the health of New Orleanians. We work to reduce the factors that contribute to chronic health problems and advance innovative, high impact strategies that improve health and well-being.

Our Focus

Our team works to develop and implement population-based interventions, including actions to address a wide range of social and economic determinants of health. These determinants of health include access to healthy food, transportation safety, medical debt, and workplace policies that support health. We also have a strong focus on system and policy changes that prevent chronic diseases by improving the environments in which New Orleanians live, work, eat, and play. We collaborate with a wide range of partners, including other governmental agencies, elected officials, community-based partners and universities to achieve our goals.

Our Work

The Population Health and Disease Prevention Division currently focused on the following areas:

  • Chronic Disease Prevention & Policy
  • Food Access
  • Sexual & Reproductive Health 
  • Injury Prevention & Transportation Safety
  • Supportive Work Environments
  • Medical Debt Elimination

Jeanie Donovan
Deputy Director of Population Health & Disease Prevention

(504) 658-2562 Email Jeanie Donovan

Population Health and Disease Prevention
Topics

Population Health and Disease Prevention
Latest News

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June 10, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services and March of Dimes Promote Low Dose Aspirin to Reduce Preeclampsia Risk

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with March of Dimes, announces the expansion of its preeclampsia awareness campaign, “Take It Easy, Baby!”. Designed to combat one of the leading causes of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, the campaign continues to increase awareness about the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia in Orleans Parish. A new provider education component of the campaign is now available to educate healthcare professionals on the benefits of low dose aspirin.

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April 27, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services Expands Direct Services to the Westbank

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services announced the return of direct services to the Arthur Monday Jr. Multi-Service Center, expanding access to essential nutrition and health services in the Algiers community.

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April 15, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City Of New Orleans Receives Funding To Develop City’s First Urban Agriculture and Food Access Plan

NEW ORLEANS -- The City of New Orleans is taking a major step toward building a healthier, more equitable food system. Last week, Mayor Helena Moreno signed a grant agreement accepting $200,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support the development of the City’s first Urban Agriculture & Food Access Plan.

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January 28, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Awarded Mayors Alliance Action Fund to End Childhood Hunger Grant From Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign and Dollar Tree

The City of New Orleans announced today that it has been selected as an inaugural recipient of the Mayors Alliance Action Fund to End Childhood Hunger (Mayors Action Fund), a grant program of the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger. The initiative is supported by Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign and Dollar Tree and brings together collective voices and resources to end childhood hunger and strengthen family economic mobility in communities across the country.

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January 5, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Health Department launches “Safe Rides, Big Easy Vibes,” a new initiative to reduce impaired driving among young adults

The New Orleans Health Department’s Injury Prevention and Transportation Safety team announces the launch of “Safe Rides, Big Easy Vibes,” a new citywide initiative focused on education and reducing driving under the influence (DUI) among 18–24-year-olds in New Orleans.

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October 29, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

The City of New Orleans Health Department Partners with Undue Medical Debt to Eliminate Medical Debt for Eligible Low-Income Patients

New Orleans, LA. The City of New Orleans, together with its Health Department, New Orleans City Council, LCMC Health, and the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt (previously RIP Medical Debt), is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the city’s Medical Debt Relief initiative, which has helped ease the burden of medical debt for residents across Orleans Parish. 

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