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Office of Disability and Health (ODH) 

The Office on Disability and Health (ODH) under the auspices of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control (EPIC) Branch, started operations July 1, 2002 under a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control.  Staring in 2002, ODH created a Strategic Plan, Universal Livability: A Dream for Tomorrow, A Plan for Today (Word, 132 KB)opens in new window.  Through the Strategic Plan, ODH found life and purpose through the mission statement of promoting the health and quality of life of people with disabilities (PWD) and to prevent or lessen the effects of secondary conditions through collaborative leadership to affect environmental, policy and systems changes.  Further, the plan includes four goals to create the structure, organizational coordination, and informed constituency necessary to implement a comprehensive program.  With the Strategic Plan guiding the activities and purpose of ODH, the objectives for the current work plan 2007-2012 include:

  • Establishing a permanent location for ODH within the structure of the Department.
  • Analyzing and reporting on disability and health data collected from existing surveillance reports.
  • Developing, field testing, and evaluating the effectiveness of an HRA as a preventive intervention for promoting health and preventing secondary conditions for persons with disabilities.
  • Integrating at least five critical disability issues into relevant programs within CDPH.
  • Identifying at least one joint project to promote the health of, and provide quality services to, people with disabilities (PWD) enrolled in Medi-Cal Managed Care Organizations.
  • Adopting and implementing a Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) at Medi-Cal or other Managed Care Organizations as a preventive intervention for promoting health and preventing secondary conditions for PWD.
  • Working with the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) and the Internet Coordinators’ Group (ICG) so that CDPH will have internet and intranet sites that incorporate universal accessibility.
  • Adopting model language for use in local general plans to create a safer environment for all pedestrians with disabilities.

By promoting the health and quality of life and enhancing physical and social environments of California's citizens with disabilities everyone can be healthy and have a good quality of life.  Universal livability of our society is not a "special accommodation" but rather a vision that allows every Californian to function as a full citizen.   ODH is committed to this vision and mission and continues to promote policies and interventions to improve the social and physical environments, prevent secondary conditions, and increase participation in health promotion opportunities for all Californians with disabilities.  

For more information, contact Nancy Guenther, ODH Coordinator, at nancy.guenther@cdph.ca.gov.