"Public health" means literally "the health of the public" -- everyone in the community. Since you live in a community, public health is your health. 

Public health is much more than health clinics and polio vaccines. Public health looks out for the good of the whole community. Without it, you are vulnerable to disease, illnesses, and injury from causes you cannot control.

There is much you can do on your own to stay healthy. You can decide not to smoke, to eat healthy, to exercise. But you also need safe water, clean air, violence-free neighborhoods, sanitary food, and quality medical care. That's where public health helps you. All day, every day, public health workers help to keep communities safe and healthy.

The roles and responsibilities of public health departments vary from county to county. In El Dorado County, the Public Health Division of the Department of Health Services offers a variety of community and clinical services including, but not limited to, communicable disease control and prevention, testing for sexually transmitted infections, immunizations, child car seat safety, substance abuse treatment and prevention, and much more.

In El Dorado County, the Environmental Management Department has jurisdiction over food safety issues and water and air quality. The Health Officer, public health nurses, and laboratory technicians work closely with staff from the Environmental Management Department to ensure the public's health.

• American Public Health Association
• California Department of Health Services
• County Health Executives Association of California
• Public Health Foundation