Department of Health

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For assistance, call 850-245-4444 or visit https://www.floridahealth.gov/

What is the purpose of the department?

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. The department assesses the public health status and needs of the state; administers and enforces laws and rules relating to sanitation, control of communicable diseases, illnesses and hazards to health; coordinates with federal, state, and local officials for the prevention and suppression of communicable and other diseases, illnesses, injuries, and hazards to human health; investigates the incidence, causes, modes of propagation and transmission, and means of prevention, control, and cure of diseases, illnesses, and hazards to human health; disseminates information to the public relative to the prevention, control, and cure of diseases, illnesses, and hazards to human health; acts as a registrar of vital statistics; and manages and coordinates emergency preparedness and disaster response functions to investigate and control the spread of disease; coordinate the availability and staffing of special needs shelters; support patient evacuation; ensure the safety of food and drugs; provide critical incident stress debriefing; and provide surveillance and control of radiological, chemical, biological, and other environmental hazards.

What programs and services does the department provide?

The department provides a wide range of services through a number of programs. The department's major programs are described below.

Children's Medical Services (CMS). This is a collection of programs that serve children with special health care needs using a family-centered model of care with a network of primary, specialty, and facility providers throughout the state.
Community Public Health. This program carries out the department's mission to protect and promote the health and safety of all people in Florida through the delivery of public health services. Program responsibilities also include the delivery of public health services across the state through Florida's 67 county health departments.
Disability Determinations. This program determines eligibility for Florida citizens who apply for disability benefits under the federal Social Security Act or the state's Medically Needy Program.
Medical Quality Assurance (MQA). This program regulates health practitioners for the preservation of the healthy, safety, and welfare of the public.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24

	Fund	Dollars	Positions
HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF
PROGRAM: CHILDREN'S MEDICAL SERVICES
	CHILDREN'S SPECIAL HEALTH CARE	2,131,925,578	335.50
PROGRAM: COMMUNITY PUBLIC HEALTH
	COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION	1,487,322,697	249.50
	COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS LOCAL HEALTH NEEDS	1,406,881,642	9,025.51
	DISEASE CONTROL AND HEALTH PROTECTION	685,907,131	528.50
	MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATION	42,390,794	133.00
	STATEWIDE PUBLIC HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES	329,457,774	453.00
PROGRAM: DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS
	DISABILITY BENEFITS DETERMINATION	177,381,959	1,147.00
PROGRAM: EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT
	ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT	117,769,245	390.50
PROGRAM: HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER AND ACCESS
	MEDICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE	76,263,051	616.50
TOTAL		6,455,299,871	12,879.01

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Updates

The 2023 Legislature enacted several laws related to the Department of Health.

Protection From Discrimination Based on Health Care Choices. Chapter 2023-43, Laws of Florida, intends that Floridians be free from mandated facial coverings, mandates of any kind relating to vaccines, and discrimination based on such vaccination status.
The Heartbeat Protection Act. Chapter 2023-21, Laws of Florida, amends and creates multiple provisions of law related to pregnancy support and wellness services and the termination of pregnancies, including prohibiting abortion after six weeks of gestation unless an exception is met.
Sickle Cell Disease Medications, Treatment, and Screening. Chapter 2023-258, Laws of Florida, focuses on sickle cell disease medications, treatment, and screening. It establishes a registry for newborns and infants who are identified as carrying a sick cell hemoglobin and the department will notify the parent or guardian of a child who has been included in the registry that a follow-up consultation with a physician is recommended.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
Agency Strategic Plan 2016-2021, Florida Department of Health, Revised May 2021
The Florida State Health Improvement Plan 2017-2021, Revised December 2020
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website

Websites of Interest
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Health, Press Releases
National Institutes of Health
Florida Department of Health, Statistics and Data
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
Public Health Accreditation Board
United Health Foundation, America's Health Rankings
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Sections 20.43 and 20.435, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Department of Health, 850-245-4444, Contact Us
Website