The League of Women Voters of Licking County | The Reporting Project
www.observerscollaborative.org
OBSERVER REPORT
Government Body Observed: Licking County Board of Health
Meeting Date: 9-16-2025
Meeting Details
Attendance: At least 18 people present, including at least 9 staff members and one member of the public (observer)
Public Comment: There was an opportunity for public comment, but no one gave a comment.
Staff Reports: There was a special presentation about the rise of suicide rates in Licking County. Audri Walker, epidemiologist, presented data about the race, gender, mechanism, and location of suicides. Although the presentation did not investigate the causes for this recent rise or offer possible interventions/solutions, the data will hopefully be used to develop measures to address the rise in suicide rates.
- 3,540 calls in the past 5 years
- 420 addresses had multiple calls
- Croton and St. Louisville had the highest rates on average (between 2007 and 2025)--more recently the numbers in those areas have declined
- 87% were white (reflecting the county's demographics) and majority were male
- Mechanism used by gender--men tended to use firearms and women used drugs and firearms
In addition to this presentation, there were standard agenda items, like fees and variances, staff reports, financial reports and bills, and contract agreements. There were opportunities to discuss all of these items, and all of the matters up for a vote (fees and hearings, financial reports and bills, and contract agreements) were passed unanimously.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Related documents, websites: Agenda: https://lickingcohealth.org/board/
Key Takeaway: Licking County Health Department reports rise in suicide rates in the county.
Observer: Elizabeth Dillenburg
Submission Date: 09/17/2025
Reviewer: Karen Semer