Ohioans are living less healthy lives and spending more on healthcare than people in most other states, according to the Health Policy Institute of Ohio’s 2017 Health Value Dashboard. There also are significant disparities in health outcomes based on race, geography and income levels, with average life expectancy in some neighborhoods up to 12 years less than in nearby neighborhoods.

The 2017 Grover Lecture, presented by Ohio Department of Health General Counsel Lance Himes, will explore what the state is doing to address the social determinants of health as well as improve health outcomes and eliminate health disparities. Hosted by OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions, the lecture will take place on Thursday, April 6 from noon to 1 p.m. in Grover E234. This event is free and open to the public.

Himes’ lecture, “The Business of Public Health and Social Justice,” will explain Ohio’s unique and ambitious initiative to align population health goals and efforts with public health and clinical medicine to address the state’s health challenges.

Himes joined ODH’s legal team in 2004 and became General Counsel in 2011. He also was appointed Interim Director of the agency by Gov. John R. Kasich in February 2014 and served in that capacity until Director Hodges’s appointment was announced.

Before becoming General Counsel, his legal work focused primarily on environmental health and compliance issues. One of his chief accomplishments was the successful legal implementation of Ohio’s smoke-free workplace law and rules. He also played a leading role in an extensive overhaul of Ohio’s sewage treatment regulations; helping reform a set of laws that had not been updated since 1977.

Prior to joining ODH, Lance practiced law in Cincinnati for seven years with a focus on environmental matters.

Dean Randy Leite of the College of Health Sciences and Professions is pleased that the college can offer this presentation at such a crucial time.

“We are very excited that ODH General Counsel will deliver this year’s Grover Lecture. His work with the Ohio Department of Health during what can only be called a very challenging time makes him an expert spokesperson on how our state can best respond to the health issues that are before us,” Leite said.

The Grover Lecture series is an endowed series honoring the accomplishments and distinguished tenure of two outstanding individuals closely linked to the university: Ann O. Grover and her late husband, Brandon T. “Tad” Grover.

Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions is one of the largest health-focused colleges in the country. The college’s five schools and departments offer programming on OHIO campuses in Athens and Dublin, Ohio. Offerings include undergraduate and graduate programs as well as continuing education opportunities for health professionals. Learn more at www.ohio.edu/chsp.