Health department

Template:Short description Template:Redirect {{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= Template:Ambox }} Template:Use dmy dates A health department or health ministry is a part of government which focuses on issues related to the general health of the citizenry. Subnational entities, such as states, counties and cities, often also operate a health department of their own. Health departments perform food inspections and other health related inspections (the person who performs this job is often called a public health inspector), vaccination programs, free STD and HIV tests, tobacco enforcement and cessation programs, and other medical assistance programs. Health departments also compile statistics about health issues within their area. The role of a health department may vary from one country to the other, but their primary objective is always the same; safeguarding and promoting health. In 1986, several of the world's national health departments met to establish an international guideline by which health departments operate. The meeting was in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and hence the guidelines established are known as the Ottawa Charter. The Ottawa Charter was designed to 'achieve Health for All'.

"Health department" can also refer to a university health department.

Around the worldEdit

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Most executive governments in the world are divided into departments or ministries. In Canada, Health Canada is the federal agency in charge of healthcare.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The first ministry of health in Canada was established by legislation in the province of New Brunswick in 1918, making it the first cabinet-level Department of Health in the British Empire, with Dr. William F. Roberts of Saint John, N.B. as the first Minister of Health in the British Empire.<ref>Charles Hayter, "New Brunswick's Remarkable Dr. Roberts", Canadian Medical Association Journal, 146:9, 1637-1639.</ref>

In the People's Republic of China, the China Health Ministry initially oversaw healthcare before it was dissolved. The majority of its functions have now been integrated into a new agency called the National Health Commission.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health supervises the country's health departments and agencies under it, most of which are located in Abuja, the country's capital.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

United States Health DepartmentsEdit

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Programs and servicesEdit

In the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for coordinating health programs in the country. With more than 100 programs and services, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aims to "protect the health of all Americans and provide essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These federal programs consist of social service programs, civil rights and healthcare privacy programs, disaster preparedness programs, and health related research. HHS offers a variety of social service programs geared toward persons with low income, disabilities, military families, and senior citizens.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Healthcare rights are defined under HHS in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which protect patient's privacy in regards to medical information. HHS collaborates with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and Office of Emergency Management to prepare and respond to health emergencies.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A broad array of health related research is supported or completed under the HHS; secondarily under HHS, the Health Resources & Service Administration houses data warehouses and makes health data available surrounding a multitude of topics.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> HHS also has vast offering of health related resources and tools. Some examples of available resources include disease prevention, wellness, health insurance information, as well as links to healthcare providers and facilities, meaningful health related materials, and public health and safety information.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Health departments in the United StatesEdit

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File:A local county health department in North Carolina, United States 02.jpg

A local county health department in North Carolina

There are several tiers of health departments in America: federal, state, tribal, insular areas, freely associated states, and local levels.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In relation with state and local government, the federal government provides states with funding to ensure that states are able to retain current programs and are able to implement new programs. The coordination between all three levels is critical to ensure the programs being implemented are well structured for each level. The health department at state level needs to safeguard good relations with legislators as well as governors in order to acquire legal and financial aid to guarantee the development and enhancements of the programs. Assemblies are set up to guide the relationships between state and local health departments. The state sets up the regulations and health policies whereas the local health departments are the ones implementing the health policies and services.Template:Citation needed

List of Public Health departments in the United StatesEdit

Freely associated statesEdit

LocalEdit

Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Long Beach (California) Department of Health and Human Services
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDHMH)
Pasadena (California) Public Health Department
San Francisco Department of Health

Grants and contractsEdit

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) acts as the most extensive grant funding agency in the country.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> While several grants are delivered to non-government agencies, the majority of HHS federal grants are administered to states, territories, and tribes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Beneficiaries of federal funds are prohibited from lobbying government officials for legislative influence or additional funding.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> HHS and the National Institutes of Health, are accountable to Congress for conducting research that is amenable to both federal and state regulatory policies and a cost-effective budget.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Template:Page needed</ref> HHS uses grants to finance and encourage government research interests. Additionally, HHS routinely sets fixed price and cost reimbursement contracts with private companies in order to obtain products and services for government operations.<ref name=":0">https://www.psc.gov/docs/default-source/acquisition/federal-contracting-highlights-aligned_wmilestonesprocessflow_v6.pdf Template:Dead link</ref> HHS aims to issue these contracts with adherence to federal contract laws, HHS acquisition policies, and local operating procedures.<ref name=":0" />

United States approach to laws and regulations affecting local, state, and federal health departmentsEdit

HistoryEdit

There is some dispute at the local level as to the claim of being the first to establish a local board or health department. For example, The city of Petersburg, Virginia claims it established the first permanent board of health in 1780;<ref>Virginia Department of Health. Go to Virginia Department of Health. http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/three-rivers/history/ Template:Webarchive. Accessed 17 September 2017.</ref> The city of Baltimore, Maryland claims it is established the first US health department in 1793,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Philadelphia, Pennsylvania followed 1794, claiming its Board of Health as "one of the first";<ref>Agency History. Philadelphia Department of Public Health. http://www.phila.gov/phils/docs/inventor/graphics/agencies/A080.htm Template:Webarchive. Published 24 April 2000. Accessed 17 September 2017.</ref> and Boston, Massachusetts claims in 1799 it established the first board of health and the first health department, with Paul Revere named as the first health officer.<ref>Our History. Boston Public Health Commission. http://www.bphc.org/aboutus/our-history/Pages/our-history.aspx Template:Webarchive. Accessed 17 September 2017.</ref>

At the state level, Louisiana was the first state to create a state board of health in 1855,<ref>History. Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. http://www.lsbme.la.gov/content/history Template:Webarchive. Published 2014. Accessed 17 September 2017.</ref> but it functioned primarily to influence regulations in New Orleans.<ref>Everard W. New Orleans Health Department Records, City Archives. New Orleans Public Library. http://nutrias.org/inv/health.htm Template:Webarchive. Published 10 December 2001. Accessed 17 September 2017.</ref> Massachusetts was the first to establish a state board that functioned throughout its state with statewide authority in 1869.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

At the national level, a simple National Board of Health functioned from 1879 to 1883,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> but it was not until 1939 that another federal agency that operated to manage public health on a national level was established, going from a federal agency called the Federal Security Agency that had health functions such as the United States Public Health Service (PHS), and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 1953, that agency was reorganized and its health functions were elevated to a cabinet-level position to establish the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW), which was renamed in 1980 to become the current and modern United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).Template:Citation needed

Current laws and regulations at each level of governmentEdit

HHS notes the laws and regulations that it carries out on its website.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Every state also has a health department to which HHS has given a description and hyperlink for each state health department.<ref>State Health Departments. Healthfinder.gov. https://healthfinder.gov/FindServices/SearchContext.aspx?show=1&topic=820 Template:Webarchive. Published 17 September 2017. Accessed 17 September 2017.</ref>

Other levels of government within each state are varied.<ref>Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Research. State and Local Public Health Relationships. Template:Webarchive Published May 2012. Accessed 17 September 2017.</ref> For example, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has within it a health department in each of its 58 counties. However, other localized versions exist. In the consolidated city and county of San Francisco, the San Francisco Department of Health<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> serves both the municipal corporation (city) and the administrative division (county) of the state. Three cities within California operate their own health departments, while simultaneously being under the jurisdiction of their county's health department. In Alameda County, the City of Berkeley operates its own Public Health Division.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Similarly, in Los Angeles County, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the Pasadena Public Health Department<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> serve the cities of Long Beach and Pasadena, respectively.

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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