Department of Health

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 is the registrar of vital statistics and administrator of laws and rule relating to sanitation control of communicable diseases, illnesses, and hazards to health among humans and from animals to human.  The department is also responsible for emergency preparedness and disaster response functions; ensures the safety of food and drugs; and provides 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 specially qualified physicians, nurses and other professionals around 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 care professionals in order to protect the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state who access health care services.

How are these activities funded?

The Legislature funds the Department of Health with appropriations from general revenue as well as from numerous federal and state trust funds.
Fiscal Year: 2020-21
Title Fund Dollars Positions
HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF
PROGRAM: CHILDREN'S MEDICAL SERVICES
CHILDREN'S SPECIAL HEALTH CARE
711,477,625
375.50
PROGRAM: COMMUNITY PUBLIC HEALTH
COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION
912,483,725
229.50
COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS LOCAL HEALTH NEEDS
1,309,528,230
9,028.51
DISEASE CONTROL AND HEALTH PROTECTION
526,946,812
616.50
STATEWIDE PUBLIC HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES
283,215,248
441.00
PROGRAM: DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS
DISABILITY BENEFITS DETERMINATION
160,983,759
1,040.00
PROGRAM: EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
70,162,218
385.50
PROGRAM: HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER AND ACCESS
MEDICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE
70,760,752
593.50
TOTAL
4,045,558,369
12,710.01

Updates

Federal and State COVID-19 Response

Federal CARES Act.  On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act contains a number of health-related provisions focused on the outbreak in the United States, including paid sick leave, insurance coverage of coronavirus testing, nutrition assistance, and other programs and efforts. It also includes support for the global response.

The Department of Health declared a Public Health Emergency for COVID-19, and as of June 2020, its response to the global pandemic has included 

  • establishing an Incident Management Team to coordinate response operations;

  • defining a high-level phased response strategy for COVID-19;

  • establishing a public call center open 24 hours 7 days a week for questions regarding COVID-19;

  • activating the Joint Information Center in coordination with the Division of Emergency Management;

  • developing and implementing protocols for investigation, surveillance and monitoring for COVID-19 to rapidly detect and contain cases;  

  • monitoring the disease and coordinating epidemiological activities with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);

  • disseminating an updated Clinician Screening Tool for identifying COVID-19 Persons Under Investigation;

  • testing at all three State Public Health Laboratories, implementing private lab testing, and developing a laboratory surge plan;

  • identifying, testing, and monitoring close contacts of presumptive cases;

  • developing and disseminating pandemic planning guidance; and 

  • launching an interactive data tracking dashboard on floridahealthcovid19.gov that is updated twice daily.

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 2016-2020, Florida Department of Health, Revised March 2019.
The Florida State Health Improvement Plan 2017-2021, Revised June 2019.
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, email: https://wa-oit-contactus-prd.azurewebsites.net/

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