Health Department Services for Preventive Care and Managing Health Conditions
Health departments provide a comprehensive range of preventive and disease management services including tuberculosis screening and treatment, HIV/STD/viral hepatitis testing and prevention, vaccinations, and integrated care coordination for vulnerable populations, all typically available regardless of ability to pay.
Core Preventive Services
Health departments serve as critical providers of preventive healthcare services, particularly focusing on public health priorities and serving vulnerable populations. These services include:
Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
Tuberculosis (TB) Services: Health departments ensure TB services including diagnostic testing, medication, laboratory services, and contact follow-up 1
- Directly observed therapy (DOT) for TB treatment adherence
- Expert TB medical consultation for healthcare providers
- Training for healthcare personnel on TB testing procedures
HIV, STD, and Viral Hepatitis Services 1:
- Screening and testing programs
- Prevention counseling and education
- Condom distribution
- Partner notification services
- Linkage to treatment for those who test positive
Vaccination Programs:
- Hepatitis A and B vaccinations
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination
- Routine childhood and adult immunizations
Health Education and Risk Reduction
- Information and education on disease prevention
- Risk assessment for infectious diseases
- Targeted health education programs for high-risk populations
- Public health campaigns and outreach
Disease Management Services
Health departments play a crucial role in managing health conditions, particularly infectious diseases:
Treatment and Care Coordination
- Ensuring access to treatment for infectious diseases
- Case management for complex health conditions
- Medication provision for qualifying patients
- Referral and linkage to specialized care
Follow-Up and Continuity of Care
- Patient tracking systems to ensure treatment completion
- Record-keeping and information sharing between jurisdictions (with privacy protections)
- Outreach services to reconnect patients who have fallen out of care
Integrated Service Delivery
Health departments increasingly focus on service integration to improve care delivery 1:
- Co-located Services: Providing multiple services at a single location to reduce barriers to care
- Seamless Service Delivery: Minimizing repeated registration procedures and administrative barriers
- Coordinated Care: Ensuring communication between different health services
Examples of Integrated Services
- Integration of HIV, TB, and substance abuse treatment services
- Combined hepatitis, STD, and HIV prevention programs
- Coordination between mental health and infectious disease services
Special Population Services
Health departments often provide targeted services for vulnerable populations:
- Migrant Workers: Special outreach and continuity of care programs 1
- Persons Who Use Drugs: Comprehensive prevention services including substance abuse treatment referrals, syringe exchange programs, and infectious disease testing 1
- Uninsured/Underinsured: Services regardless of ability to pay
Role in the Healthcare System
Health departments serve multiple functions in the broader healthcare system:
- Coordination and Planning: Organizing community-based approaches to health issues
- Quality Oversight: Setting performance standards and monitoring quality of services
- Training and Education: Providing education to healthcare providers and community members
- Assessment: Evaluating community health needs and program effectiveness
Accessing Health Department Services
Most health department services are:
- Available regardless of ability to pay 1
- Often provided at convenient locations to improve access
- Designed to minimize barriers to care
Common Pitfalls and Considerations
- Fragmentation of Care: Despite integration efforts, services may still be fragmented across different programs or locations
- Resource Limitations: Health departments often operate with limited resources, affecting service availability
- Awareness Barriers: Many people are unaware of the full range of services available through health departments
- Confidentiality Concerns: Some individuals may avoid health departments due to privacy concerns, particularly for stigmatized conditions
Health departments continue to evolve their service models to address these challenges through improved integration, outreach, and community partnerships.