Welcome from the Director, Dr. Mark Horton

Dear friends and colleagues :

Welcome to the California Department of Public Health Web site. Our Web site contains information on current important issues impacting public health, news about our programs and a wealth of other resources. I invite you to browse through these pages and learn more about how our Department works with your community, in your community and for your community.

Public health touches our lives in countless ways each and every day. Our Department’s dedicated professionals and staff are working behind the scenes to keep us all safe and healthy through the delivery of quality public health services throughout the State - from maintaining safe drinking water to protecting our communities from communicable diseases, epidemics, and contaminated food. 

We have a vision for a healthier California. Our goals are to improve access to quality public health services, to improve health outcomes and to reduce health care costs through prevention with services such as disease screenings and vaccinations, and patient safety initiatives. Together we can make this vision become a reality and help accomplish our mission to protect and promote California’s health by making it a place where all people can enjoy the best health possible, where we all can live, grow and prosper in clean and safe communities. The Department of Public Health plays a vital role in these efforts, collaborating with local health departments, agencies and organizations throughout the State.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has made health care reform and public health preparedness his top priorities in establishing this new Department of Public Health, which places California as a model to the nation in promoting a healthier State and protecting all Californians against threats to the public’s health. 

The Governor’s vision strengthens our commitment to public health issues, from emergency and disaster preparedness to ensuring access to public health services and promoting prevention and wellness. This vision is realized, in part, by preparing the people of California for any natural or manmade disaster with help from a recently launched media campaign "Be Prepared California", which you can read more about in these Web pages. 

As Director of this newly formed Department, I welcome your partnership and look forward to working within your communities to improve the health of all people in California. Together, we can all help to ensure a safer and healthier California.
 
Mark B Horton, MD, MSPH
Director
California Department of Public Health