The Florida Department of Health (DOH) was established by the Florida Legislature in 1996, however public health has its roots in Florida dating back to 1888 with the creation of the Florida State Board of Health.
In 2007, the first-ever State Surgeon General was established to spearhead the efforts of DOH, thereby designating a health officer to oversee all matters of public health.
The Surgeon General’s role is to be the state’s leading advocate for wellness and disease prevention.
The State Surgeon General, who serves as the State Health Officer and is directly appointed by Florida’s Governor, and confirmed by the Florida Senate. DOH has four deputy secretaries that oversee all of its business and programmatic operations.
DOH comprises a state health office (central office) in Tallahassee, with statewide responsibilities; Florida’s 67 county health departments; 8 Children’s Medical Services area offices; 12 Medical Quality Assurance regional offices; 9 Disability Determinations regional offices; and 3 public health laboratories.
Facilities for the county health departments are provided through partnerships with local county governments. These county health departments have a total of 255 sites throughout the state, providing a variety of services, and ranging from small to large in location size.
DOH is accountable to the Florida Legislature, the Executive Office of the Governor, all residents and visitors in the state, and the federal government. We are responsive to priorities identified by the Governor and Legislature in determining services, associated funding, and delivery mechanisms.
Florida Health is the brand name of
the Florida Department of Health
Florida Health represents the vision that health belongs to everyone and every group—not just a state agency. It takes individuals, families, communities, and partnerships with local and state-level policymakers, and stakeholders to create a culture of health in Florida.
While our agency is the spearhead for public health in the state, we are all stewards of health in Florida. Florida Health belongs to all of us.