"Safe communities with abundant opportunities"

Public Health Bureau staff's  vision for Monterey County

The Public Health Bureau includes: Children’s Medical Services; Disease Prevention and Control; Public Health Laboratory; Women’s, Infants, and Children’s Program; Nutrition Services; and Regional Health Teams which conduct Case Management and Home Visits related to health needs.  Programs in the Bureau cover several essential public health services, including surveillance, disaster preparedness, diagnosing and addressing health problems, outreach and education, and mobilizing community partnerships to identify and solve health problems.  The ultimate goal of the Bureau is to measurably improve population health and reduce health inequities in Monterey County.

The Bureau is led by the Health Officer. The Health Officer serves in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code.  The code authorizes the Health Officer to take measures to prevent the spread of disease. The Health Officer works with numerous local, state, and federal agencies to take necessary preventative measures to protect and preserve the health of county residents. The Health Officer can also authorize Bureau programs, such as the Communicable Disease Unit or the Laboratory, to take action in events having public health significance.