Public Health Services
County Health Departments provide most of the public health
services in Florida. Services are provided through a partnership between
the state, district offices, and the counties. Most services are available
at no charge or a small fee based upon income.
Disease Control
Public health provides for the protection of the general public
through the detection, control, and eradication of diseases which are
transmitted to people.
AIDS and HIV -- Offers anonymous or confidential testing for HIV,
the virus which causes AIDS. Clients are provided information on
prevention, the benefits of early treatment and referrals to care and
other needed services. Medical care, pharmaceuticals, dental services,
mental health counseling, case management and many other support services
are provided to persons living with HIV disease through HIV care
consortia, patient care networks and county health departments. Additional
information about HIV/AIDS can be obtained through th Florida HIV/AIDS
Hotline. This Hotline is available in English (1-800-FLA-AIDS), Spanish
(1-800-545-SIDA), Creaole (1-800-AIDS-101) and TTY (1-888-503-7118).
IMMUNIZATIONS -- Provided to protect children from diphtheria,
Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis, measles, mumps, rubella,
tetanus, varicella (chicken pox) and whooping cough (pertussis). Florida
law now currently requires children entering a public or private school to
be immunized against diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b (prekindergarten
only), hepatitis B virus (kindergarten, seventh and eight grade), measles,
mumps, pertussis, rubella and tetanus. In addition, children attending a
child care facility are required to be immunized against diphtheria,
Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, rubella and tetanus.
Immunization against varicella (chicken pox) is recommended for children
following their first birthday unless they have had the disease.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES -- Testing and treatment is provided
to protect sex partners and unborn children from the serious effects that
may result from untreated syphilis, gonorrhea and other sexually
transmitted diseases. Services and in formation are confidential.
EPIDEMIOLOGY -- Staff monitor disease trends to prevent epidemics
and/or control outbreaks that can threaten the entire community. Special
reports and studies are used in planning of health education and treatment
programs.
TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL -- Testing and treatment services help prevent
the spread of this serious lung disease. This includes skin tests and
chest X-rays.
CHRONIC DISEASE -- Programs seek to reduce the morbidity and
mortality resulting from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer. The program intervenes
to reduce risk factors through educ ation, early detection, treatment,
referral and follow-up.
HEALTH PROMOTION -- Staff provide counseling, education and the
promotion of healthy lifestyles. Smoking, substance abuse, lack of
exercise, poor eating habits, and stress all can be harmful to an
individual's health. Programs are presented to schools and organizations.
Primary Care and Personal Health
Services
Public health units provide preventive and primary care to persons
who are unable to obtain care due to lack of income or other barriers
beyond their control. Care is provided to benefit individuals, improve the
collective health of the public, and pr event and control the spread of
disease.
ADULT HEALTH CARE -- Counties make available a range of basic
medical care services and treatments. Clinic services ensure access to
essential health care and decrease unnecessary emergency room visits.
HEALTHY START -- The program provides universal risk screening for
all pregnant women and infants to identify those at risk for poor health and
developmental outcomes such as low birth weight. Healthy Start services
include care coordination to assure access to needed services as well as
the provision of services such as childbirth education and smoking
cessation
CHILD HEALTH -- Health units provide periodic physical examinations
for infants and children who are about to enter school or pre-school.
Hearing and vision tests are administered in kindergarten and first grade.
FAMILY PLANNING -- Programs provide education, counseling, medical
services, referral and follow-up that will help individuals plan their
family size.
NUTRITION -- Public health staff teach dietary habits necessary for
good health to people who need special diets because of illness or medical
conditions. Programs are provided for pregnant and breastfeeding women and
those with chronic diseas es. Nutritionists also provide education and
consultation for consumer groups, schools, and group care facilities.
WIC --
WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants, and
Children. WIC provides the following at no cost: healthy foods, nutrition
education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals for health
care.
HOME HEALTH SERVICES -- Some county public health units provide
care for people who need nursing care or treatment in their homes if they
are eligible for Medicare or another assistance program.
DENTAL HEALTH -- Dentists provide treatment to indigents and
preventive care to school children. The program also monitors and provides
technical assistance to all water systems which have added fluoride and
manages an emergency treatment referral system.
Primary Care and Personal Health Services
Public health protects the health of the population by
monitoring and regulating activities which may contribute to the
occurrence or transmission of disease.
FOOD INSPECTION -- Programs ensure that certain food service
establishments operate in a safe and sanitary manner to minimize the
occurrence of foodborne illnesses. This includes inspection of facilities
where food is processed, prepared or served.
WATER SUPPLIES -- Public health regulates private and certain
public water supplies and provides advice on well location and
maintenance.
WASTE DISPOSAL -- Programs ensure that septic tanks and other
on-site sewage disposal systems are properly planned, installed and
operated to prevent the spread of disease.
OTHER INSPECTIONS -- Counties inspect nursing homes, day care
centers, schools, mobile home and recreational vehicle parks, swimming
pools and bathing places, and other public and private group care
facilities to ensure that the facilities are safe and sanitary. Staff also
investigate and resolve complaints about sanitary nuisances.
ANIMAL BITES -- Public health staff investigate animal bite
reports.
RADIATION CONTROL -- The program monitors radiation sources,
certifies x-ray machines and operators, and inspects shipments of
radioactive materials. Counties also inspect homes for radon, test water
for radioactive contamination, and provide emergency response teams.
TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY -- Staff assess the
effect of exposure to contaminants on humans. They monitor and investigate
unusual occurrences of environmentally related disease to intervene
against its spread.
Other Services
VITAL RECORDS -- The program maintains copies of all birth,
death, marriage, and divorce records, providing copies as needed.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES -- The program licenses emergency
medical technicians and services, assists in upgrading of EMS systems, and
monitors hospital trauma centers.
PHARMACY -- Staff safeguard the public by inspecting and
licensing the manufacturing, repackaging, and wholesaling of drugs and
drug products and banning merchandising of deceptive drugs and devices.
LABORATORY -- Public health laboratories provide diagnostic,
environmental, reference, emergency, and research laboratory services to
county health units, other state agencies, and private health care
providers.
