Core County Health Department Functions

Infectious Disease Prevention and Control: includes surveillance; diagnosis and treatment; partner elicitation and contact tracing; and risk reduction education.  The county health departments are either directly or indirectly involved in the treatment and/or follow-up of the majority of reportable infectious disease cases in Florida. 

• Over 1.2 million immunization services provided annually
• Over 60,000 people treated or screened annually for tuberculosis
• Over 400,000 birth and death records generated annually
• Over 100,000 people receiving services for sexually transmitted disease detection and control
• Over 30,000 people receiving AIDS treatment and prevention services

Basic Family Health Care Services: includes treatment for minor illnesses and injuries; prenatal care; family planning; well child services; school based health care, and dental health care.  The county health departments serve as the primary care safety net for persons who have difficulty accessing this care from the private sector.

• Over  275,000 people receive primary care for children and adults
• Over 130,000 people receive professional dental care annually
• Over 230,000 women and infants receive clinical care or care coordination annually through Healthy Start
• Over 200,000 people receive family planning services
• Approximately 2.4 million students are screened or treated annually in school-based health care programs
• Over 400,000 women and young children are served monthly through WIC nutrition services

Environmental Health Services: includes 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.  County health departments work with the Department of Environmental Protection to guard against groundwater contamination from leaking petroleum storage tanks and investigate a variety of reported sanitary nuisances.

•  Over 360,000 septic tank permits and inspections annually
• Over 200,000 inspections of day care centers, nursing homes, and other group living facilities annually
• Over 80,000 radiation devices, users, and facilities regulated annually
• Over 275,000 groundwater monitoring inspections and reviews performed annually
• Over 120,000 services provided annually in response to sanitary nuisances, hazardous substances, animal or insect borne diseases, lead poisoning, and other community hygiene issues.