How Public Health Began in Nebraska
Local health departments in Nebraska began forming as communities recognized the need to prevent disease, improve sanitation, and protect the health of their residents. Early efforts focused on controlling outbreaks, ensuring clean water, and educating families about basic health practices.
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Over time, these efforts evolved into organized public health systems, working at the local, state, and national levels to address changing health needs.
Our Story
Rooted in community, growing for the future.
Public health in Nebraska was built on a simple but powerful idea: communities are stronger when people have access to the care and resources they need to stay healthy.
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From early local efforts to today’s coordinated health systems, that mission continues to guide our work every day.
We remain flexible and responsive to the changing needs of our community, adapting our services and strategies to meet new challenges and opportunities in public health.
To improve the health and wellbeing of Loup Basin Public Health Department’s nine county district by providing accessible, high-quality public health services, promoting disease prevention, and addressing health disparities through education, outreach, and collaboration.        Â
Healthier People, Stronger Communities, Brighter Tomorrows
We operate with transparency, accountability, and honesty in all our interactions with the public, partners, and stakeholders.
Mission
Vison
Values
Adaptive:
Trusted:
We believe that all individuals deserve equal access to the care and services necessary to achieve optimal health, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or background.Â
We embrace new ideas, approaches, and technologies to address emerging health challenges and continuously improve our services.
Inclusive:
Progressive:
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Growing to Serve Our Communities
2002
295 N 8th Ave
Loup Basin Public Health Department was established in 2002, with its first office located at 295 N 8th Avenue in Burwell, Nebraska. The department was created to help strengthen public health services across the region through community partnerships, prevention efforts, health education, and emergency preparedness. From its earliest days, LBPHD focused on improving access to public health resources and supporting the health and well-being of the communities it serves.
2012
I Street
In 2012, Loup Basin Public Health Department established its first dedicated facility on I Street, marking an important milestone in building a centralized space for public health services. This location provided the foundation for program development, staff collaboration, and community engagement, allowing the department to further expand its reach across the region.
2021
J Street
By 2021, continued growth in programs and staffing led to the addition of a second location on J Street. This expansion created space for new initiatives, including the Healthy Families program, and allowed LBPHD to better serve clients through increased capacity, enhanced services, and improved access to care.
October 21, 2024
327 N 8th Ave
On October 21, 2024, LBPHD celebrated a major step forward with the groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility at 327 N 8th Avenue in Burwell. This event symbolized years of growth, strong community partnerships, and a shared vision for the future of public health in the region.
August 10,
2025
327 N 8th Ave
On August 10, 2025, staff officially moved into the new facility. Designed with both current needs and future growth in mind, the building enhances workflow efficiency, supports collaboration across programs, and provides dedicated spaces to better serve the public. This transition represents a new era of service delivery for LBPHD.