The Kentucky Health Departments Association (KHDA) was formed in 1984 through the merger of the Kentucky District Health Departments Association and the Kentucky County Health Departments Association.  The Association was incorporated under Kentucky law in 1987.

The association was formed for the following five purposes:

    1. To promote better health services. 
 

    2. To obtain and exchange information. 
 

    3. To investigate problem areas common to health department administration and

        suggest solutions. 
 

    4. To promote continuing education for health department directors and employees. 
 

    5. To establish a framework for more effective communication among health departments,  

        state agencies, local agencies and other interested parties.

All local health departments in the Commonwealth of Kentucky are members of the association and are officially represented by the department's Public Health Director or their designee. Dues paying members are considered "members in good standing" and, as such, are entitled to vote and hold office in the association.

The Association holds monthly meetings for discussion of pertinent issues relating to the operations of local health departments. Additionally, the Association develops, adopts and disseminates information, policy statements, and resolutions on matters of importance to public health in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It provides educational materials to its members for their use in educating board members and other policy makers on public health matters.