Core County Health Department Functions

Four Core Pillars of Public Health  

The Four Core Pillars of Public Health are the areas the Florida Department of Health has been tasked with in sections 154.01 and 381.0011, Florida Statutes, and include Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Acute Care and Preventative Services, Environmental Health, and Preparedness and Response.   

Each county health department (CHD) provides services that align with the four pillars. These services are provided either directly or indirectly through a partnership. CHDs may also choose to offer expanded services that specifically address health issues or priorities in their community.  

Infectious Disease Prevention and Control  

Services include surveillance, diagnosis and treatment, partner elicitation and contact tracing, and risk reduction education. The CHDs are either directly or indirectly involved in the treatment and/or follow-up of the majority of reportable infectious disease cases in Florida.

CHDs provide services including immunizations for pediatric, adult, and travel,Tuberculosis screening and treatment, sexually trnsmitted disease detection and control, and HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. CHDs also generate birth and death certificates.      

Acute Care and Preventative Services  

Services include treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, woman and infant clinical care, prenatal care, family planning, well child services, school-based health care, and dental health care.   

Environmental Health  

Services include the inspection and monitoring of onsite sewage disposal systems and group care living facilities such as day care centers, and nursing homes, as well as monitoring private water wells for contamination. CHDs work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to guard against groundwater contamination from leaking petroleum storage tanks and investigate a variety of reported sanitary nuisances and other community hygiene issues. Additional services include inspections of tattoo, body piercing, and tanning facilities, as well as inspections of swimming pools.   

Preparedness and Response  

Services include coordinating the availability and staffing of special needs shelters, supporting patient evacuation, ensuring the safety of food and drugs, providing critical incident stress debriefing, and providing surveillance and control of radiological, chemical, biological, and other environmental hazards.