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Community Health Services form the front line in the daily battle to prevent and control the spread of disease. The 35 health districts and 119 local health departments provide an array of services that protect the health of citizens in every city and county in the state. The highly professional and dedicated staffs inspect restaurants, private wells and on-site sewage disposal systems and investigate communicable disease outbreaks to protect residents. They also provide numerous clinical services including immunizations, family planning and WIC nutrition services that protect the health of women and children. They also maintain vital records and respond to natural and man-made disasters.
Operations of the local health departments are funded jointly by the state and local governments. Together in FY 2006 they provided $171 million to provide public health services to Virginia’s 7.3 million residents.
Approximately 70 percent of the districts provide dental services to children. Support from the Governor’s Office and the General Assembly provided state-of-the-art equipment to dental clinics including new operatories, hand pieces and panoramic X-ray equipment and film processors.
In addition to directing clinical care for patients, staff worked closely with community partners to develop realistic, coordinated plans to protect the public health in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak. They also monitored mosquito populations to prevent and control the threat of West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Despite best efforts, disease outbreaks do occur that require immediate and concentrated efforts. This year disease control specialists investigated outbreaks of diseases such as campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis, listeriosis, tuberculosis, rabies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Preventing disease plays a key role in a healthy life for individuals, families and communities. Day in and day out local health department staff deliver fundamental health protection and provide a safety net of medical services to uninsured and underinsured residents. They give children - our most vulnerable citizens - the best possible start in life. They help adults prevent and control the effects of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, and they ensure safe drinking water and clean restaurants for everyone.