5 Game-Changing Initiatives: How The Charleston Kanawha Health Department Is Redefining Public Health In 2025
As of late 2025, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department (KCHD) stands at the forefront of community wellness, continuously evolving its strategy to meet the unique public health challenges facing Kanawha County and the City of Charleston. The department’s commitment goes far beyond basic health screenings, encompassing everything from advanced epidemiology to proactive environmental protection, ensuring a comprehensive safety net for its nearly 190,000 residents. This deep dive explores the current leadership, the revolutionary services, and the key initiatives—like the game-changing Mobile Health Unit—that are setting a new standard for localized public health advocacy in West Virginia.
The KCHD operates as a vital, trusted source of health information, promoting health and safety interests across the region. Their recent focus has been on accessibility and preparedness, utilizing fresh strategies to combat infectious diseases, address chronic health issues, and respond rapidly to public emergencies. By integrating cutting-edge programs with established clinical services, the department is actively working to improve the overall quality of life and longevity for every citizen in the Kanawha Valley.
The Visionary Leadership of Dr. Steven Eshenaur and KCHD's Board
The strategic direction and operational efficiency of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department are guided by a dedicated Board of Health and a strong Public Health Officer. This leadership structure ensures that the department remains responsive to the community’s needs while adhering to the highest standards of public health practice.
Key Leadership Profile: Dr. Steven Eshenaur, Public Health Officer
Dr. Steven Eshenaur was officially named the Public Health Officer for the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department in June 2022, a critical period that demanded seasoned experience and forward-thinking vision.
- Role: Public Health Officer and Executive Director.
- Impact: Dr. Eshenaur’s tenure has been marked by a renewed emphasis on community outreach and accessibility, most notably through the deployment of the KCHD Mobile Health Unit.
- Focus: His leadership is central to coordinating the department's response to ongoing public health concerns, including the continuous management of COVID-19 guidance, flu vaccination campaigns, and the monitoring of regional disease outbreaks.
The Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health
The Board of Health provides essential oversight and governance for the KCHD, ensuring accountability and strategic alignment with the needs of Kanawha County. Key members of this governing body include:
- Arthur B. Rubin, DO (President)
- Jeremy Nelson
- Paul Nusbaum
- William Payne, MD
- Danny Scalise II, MBA, MPH, CPH
This diverse team of medical professionals, business leaders, and public health experts ensures a holistic approach to the region's health policies and service delivery.
5 Game-Changing Public Health Services Redefining Kanawha County
The KCHD’s commitment to community health is realized through five core service divisions, each playing a crucial role in protecting and enhancing the well-being of the population. These services form the backbone of the department's topical authority and public safety mandate.
1. Comprehensive Clinical Services
The Clinical Services division offers essential, accessible health care with a focus on prevention and infectious disease control. This is the public’s primary point of contact for many critical health needs.
- Immunization Programs: Providing a wide array of vaccines, including routine childhood immunizations, Tdap, Hepatitis A and B, and crucial seasonal flu and COVID-19 booster shots.
- Tuberculosis (TB) Testing: Offering screening and treatment for TB, a key component of community disease surveillance.
- Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing: Confidential testing and counseling services to control the spread of STDs.
- Women's Health: Including family planning services and screenings.
2. Proactive Environmental Health Services
This division is tasked with protecting the public from environmental hazards and ensuring the safety of food and water sources. Their work is often unseen but is fundamental to daily life in Charleston and Kanawha County.
- Food Safety Inspections: Regular inspections and permitting for all food establishments, from restaurants to mobile vendors, ensuring compliance with state regulations.
- Septic and Sewage Permitting: Overseeing the installation and maintenance of on-site sewage disposal systems to prevent water contamination.
- Pool and Recreational Water Safety: Inspection of public swimming pools and other recreational water facilities.
- Air Quality Monitoring: Working with partners to address issues like particle pollution, which is a major concern in the Charleston-Huntington-Ashland area, as highlighted by organizations like the American Lung Association.
3. Advanced Epidemiology Services
Epidemiology is the science of public health, focusing on the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. This division keeps the KCHD ahead of potential outbreaks.
- Disease Surveillance: Continuous monitoring of communicable diseases, including COVID-19, Mpox (Monkeypox), and foodborne illnesses.
- Outbreak Investigation: Rapid response and investigation of disease clusters to contain their spread.
- Data Analysis: Providing updated health recommendations and risk assessments for the public and local government officials.
4. Critical Emergency Preparedness and Response
The KCHD plays a central role in preparing the community for and responding to various public health emergencies, whether natural disasters, bioterrorism, or infectious disease pandemics. This ensures the Kanawha Valley remains resilient in a crisis.
- Disaster Planning: Developing and maintaining plans for mass vaccination, medication distribution (Points of Dispensing or PODs), and shelter operations.
- Coordination: Working closely with the Kanawha County Commission, Metro 911, and the City of Charleston to ensure a unified emergency response.
5. Community Wellness and Prevention Programs
Beyond treating illness, the KCHD is dedicated to preventing it through education and promotion of healthy lifestyles. These programs target chronic diseases and high-risk behaviors.
- Substance Abuse Prevention: Initiatives to combat the opioid crisis, often coordinating with local organizations and utilizing opioid settlement grants to fund crucial treatment and support programs.
- Health Education: Providing resources and workshops on nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco cessation.
- Maternal and Child Health: Programs aimed at improving outcomes for pregnant women and young children in the county.
The KCHD Mobile Health Unit: Bringing Care to Every Corner
Perhaps the most transformative initiative under Dr. Eshenaur's leadership is the launch and full deployment of the KCHD Mobile Health Unit. This 40-foot custom-built vehicle is not just a van; it is a fully equipped extension of the main clinic, designed to eliminate geographical and transportation barriers to healthcare.
The Mobile Health Unit allows KCHD staff and their partners to take essential public health services directly to underserved communities across Kanawha County. This model is critical in rural parts of the county where residents may lack easy access to the main Charleston facility.
Services Provided by the Mobile Unit
The mobile unit’s flexibility allows it to adapt to the most pressing needs of the community it is visiting, offering a dynamic range of services on-site.
- Vaccination Clinics: Rapidly deploying for flu shots, COVID-19 boosters, and other critical immunizations, especially during peak season or outbreaks.
- Health Screenings: Offering blood pressure checks, diabetes screenings, and other basic preventative health services.
- Testing and Counseling: Providing confidential STD and HIV testing and counseling in a discrete setting.
- Outreach and Education: Serving as a hub for distributing public health information, connecting residents to wellness programs, and addressing specific local health concerns.
This commitment to "taking services on the road" demonstrates the KCHD's proactive approach to public health, ensuring that socio-economic status or location does not prevent any citizen of Charleston or Kanawha County from receiving necessary care. The Mobile Health Unit is a powerful symbol of the department’s dedication to equitable healthcare access and community engagement in 2025 and beyond.
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