Public health is a system that encompasses the national, state and local level.  Our mission is to "prevent, promote and protect".  Public health focuses on different tasks at each level.  One cannot disregard a single level and have a clear picture of public health.

I hope this site is user friendly and you find the information you are looking for.  Please send us messages with any comments you may have.

Karen Fox Ladd

Public Health Administrator

Promote: We have community-based health promotion programs, such as the Columbia Health Coalition. We also offer health education speakers and materials for communities and schools on chronic disease issues, tobacco and HIV. We also provide referrals to health resources, such as tobacco cessation.

Prevent: We offer WIC/nutrition, influenza shots, childhood immunizations, disease outbreak monitoring and women’s health services. We also provide a home visit nurse for high-risk infants.

Protect: We provide public health preparedness, environmental health, disease outbreak monitoring, restaurant inspections, public pool/spa monitoring and food worker certification.