Mecklenburg County (N.C.). Health Dept.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department traces its origins back to the 1890s when the office of County Physician became an elective office. A severe smallpox epidemic precipitated the creation of the office of City Physician in 1896. The Health Department was organized in 1917. During the 1920s, the city and county departments were consolidated. By 1960, the Charlotte and Mecklenburg Health Department had been placed under one health director.

In 1973, the North Carolina General Assembly transferred all duties and responsibilities of a local policy Board of Health to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. As such, the Mecklenburg County Board of Health was officially terminated on December 17, 1973. When the County Commissioners assumed control on January 31, 1974, it created the Mecklenburg County Health Commission. The Commissioners mandated the Health Commission to review and consider all health matters and to make suitable recommendations to the Commissioners.