4265 Department of Public Health
Program Descriptions

20 - PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

The Public and Environmental Health program's objective is to prevent disease and premature death and to enhance the health and well being of all Californians. These objectives are achieved by:

  • Working with local public health agencies that protect and enhance public health.
  • Coordinating prevention-related programs to promote healthy environments and minimize the incidence, prevalence, and duration of infectious diseases, injuries, violence, and chronic diseases.
  • Regulating and developing partnerships with non-profit, and public and private businesses and industries to achieve and maintain a healthful environment.
  • Designing community and environmental health promotion and treatment strategies and evaluating their cost effectiveness.
  • Providing quality laboratory services for biomedical, bioenvironmental, forensic alcohol and methadone drug analyses. Supporting research into the cause, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

20.10 - Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion:
This program works to prevent and control chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes; to provide training programs for public health workforce; to prevent or reduce injuries, violence and diseases related to environmental and occupational factors; and to promote and support the development of safe and healthy environments in all communities. This program includes Chronic Disease and Injury Control, and Environmental and Occupational Disease Control.

20.20 - Infectious Diseases:
This program works to prevent and control infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, influenza and other vaccine preventable illnesses, tuberculosis, emerging infections, and foodborne illnesses. This program includes Communicable Disease Control and the Office of AIDS.

20.30 - Family Health:
This program works to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in access to health care for low-income families, including women of reproductive age; pregnant and breastfeeding women; and infants, children and adolescents and their families. This program is comprised of the Genetic Disease Screening Program; Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program; Office of Family Planning; and the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program.

20.40 - Health Information and Strategic Planning:
This program works to improve public health by developing data systems and facilitating the collection, validation, analysis, and dissemination of health information. This program includes Vital Records, Public Health Informatics, and department-wide initiatives related to Strategic Planning and Performance Management.

20.50 - County Health Services:
This program supports county-based public health information and services including the Medical Marijuana Program and Refugee Health Services.

20.60 - Environmental Health:
This program works to protect and improve the health of all California residents by ensuring the safety of drinking water, food, drugs, and medical devices; conducting environmental management programs; and overseeing the use of radiation through investigation, inspection, laboratory testing, and regulatory activities. This program includes Drinking Water and Environmental Management, and Food, Drug, and Radiation Safety.