The health department is responsible for protecting and improving the health of residents of Yolo County and assuring that quality health services are available and accessible.

Public health differs from medical health services by looking at the entire population, preventing diseases, and improving the health of the community. Medical health services focus on the individual and diagnosing and treating disease. Since 1900, the average life expectancy for Americans has increased by about 30 years. Over 25 of the 30 years can be atributed to public health initiatives, while medical advances account for less than four years.

Public Health Services for Yolo County include:

• Detection and prevention of communicable diseases
• Health Education, with emphasis on tobacco education and prevention, HIV and Hepatitis C education, counseling and testing, nutrition and physical activity, vehicle passenger safety, and lead poisoning prevention
• Immunizations
• Birth and Death records
• Support and monitoring of services for vulnerable populations, families with children, senior citizens, and other special health needs
• Rabies case investigation and control measures
• Inspections of food preparation outlets
• Inspection of public and private water supply systems
• Health data and assessments
• Emergency Preparedness activities including hazardous materials spills, food borne illness outbreaks, and possible bioterrorist events
• Provide health and dental services for children with chronic health problems, indigent populations, people who are incarcerated, and residents receiving adult day health services
• Public Health laboratory and consultation services to local clinical laboratories, health care providers, and Health Department programs

The staff consists of physicians, public health nurses, microbiologists, environmental health specialists, epidemiologists, certified health educators, and a variety of community health representatives located in offices in Woodland and West Sacramento.

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