Philadelphia Board of Health Also known as: Philadelphia Department of Public Health

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Jane Addams to Raymond Robins, May 23, 1903

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Founding Date

1794

Ending Date

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Description

The Philadelphia Board of Health was organized in 1794 independent of the city's control after an outbreak of yellow fever. Then Mayor Matthew Clarkson formed the Board from a group of 16 concerned citizens, including Benjamin Rush, to help the city with the crisis. After more than 200 years of service, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, as the group is now called, has broadened its responsibilities to include housing issues, management of several hospitals, and anti-heroin initiatives.