The current Kentucky Health Departments Association 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.

In July 1989, the Association co-hosted with the Ohio Association of Health Officers the first annual convention of the National Association of County Health Officials.

In August 1995, the Kentucky Health Departments Association entered into a contractual agreement with the Kentucky Public Health Association for administrative services. Through this arrangement, the Kentucky Public Health Association provides the services of its Executive Director on a shared basis to handle administrative issues.

In November 1995, the Kentucky Health Departments Association formed a purchasing consortium of local health departments for the acquisition of insurance brokerage services. Through this activity, several local health departments were able to significantly reduce insurance premiums for general/professional liability, workers compensation, automobile, and property insurance. An expansion of the activities of the consortium into the areas of medical supplies and office supplies is slated for discussion.

The Kentucky Health Departments Association began work to develop a publication outlining the Association's vision, mission, goals, and plans for the future in October, 1996. The document was finalized and publicly released at the Governor's Conference on the Future of Public Health in Kentucky on Wednesday 12 March 1997.

In the upcoming months, the Association will be working to assist its membership in preparing for Medicaid managed care partnerships, disaster and emergency response activities, and community health assessment.