{"id":10543,"date":"2025-03-01T14:08:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T19:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/what\/"},"modified":"2025-03-06T07:17:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T12:17:18","slug":"what","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/what\/","title":{"rendered":"what ~  DPH FAQs: What is Public Health?  &#8211; Delaware Health and Social Services &#8211; State of Delaware"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-swiftype-index=\"true\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  <br>\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  <div class=\"container\" id=\"main_header\">\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <!-- BEGIN readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve\" id=\"readspeaker_button1\">\r\n\r\n      <a accesskey=\"L\" class=\"rsbtn_play\" href=\"https:\/\/app-na.readspeaker.com\/cgi-bin\/rsent?customerid=7262&#038;lang=en_us&#038;readid=main_content&#038;url=https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/what.html\" title=\"Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker\">\r\n\r\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_left rsimg rspart\"><span class=\"rsbtn_text\"><span>Listen<\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n      <\/a>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <!-- END readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n    <header class=\"pull-left\">\r\n\r\n      <h1><!--[type=EDIT name=\"Page Title\"]-->What is Public Health?<!--[END]--><\/h1>\r\n\r\n    <\/header>\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n  <\/div><br>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n  <div class=\"container\">\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"row\">\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"col-md-3\" id=\"leftCol\">\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\">\r\n\r\n          <div class=\"panel sectionmenu_panel\">\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\">\r\n\r\n              <p class=\"panel-title\"><a class=\"agency_nav\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapseOne\"><strong><i class=\"fa fa-align-justify fa-fw\"><\/i> Public Health Menu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" id=\"collapseOne\">\r\n\r\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" id=\"clf_nav\">\r\n\r\n                  <ul class=\"nav nav-stacked nav-pills-clf\" id=\"agency_sidebar\">\r\n    <li><a href=\"\/dph\/\"><h2>Home <i class=\"fa fa-home fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a><\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#agency_sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#HomeMenu\"><h2>About <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"HomeMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/about.html\">About DPH<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/sections.html\">Sections &#038; Programs<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ofclocations.html\">Office Locations<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/contact.html\">Contact Info<\/a><\/li>\r\n      \r\n        <li><a href=\"\/calendars.html\" target=\"_blank\">Calendar<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#ServicesMenu\"><h2>Services <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"ServicesMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesaz.html\">A-Z Services<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/environmental.html\">Air &#038; Water Quality<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ss\/vitalstats.html\">Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/clinics.html\">Clinics<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthdatastats.html\">Health Data &#038; Statistics<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/emsps.html\">Emergency Preparedness<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthandwellness.html\">Health &#038; Wellness<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthyhomes.html\">Healthy Homes<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthywp.html\">Healthy Workplaces<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/lab\/labs.html\">Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/feir.html\">Restaurant Inspections<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/screen.html\">Screening and Testing<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/chca\/dphwichominf01.html\">WIC<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesadd.html\">Additional Services<\/a><\/li><li>\r\n      <\/li><\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#InformationMenu\"><h2>Information <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n        <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"InformationMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">A-Z Fact Sheets<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/pubreportsaz.html\">A-Z Publications &#038; Reports<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/diseasesandconditions.html\">Diseases &#038; Conditions<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/faq.html\">FAQ&#8217;s<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/alerts.html\">Health Alerts<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthylifestyles.html\">Healthy Lifestyles<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hipaa.html\">HIPAA<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/regs.html\">Regulations<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/forms.html\">Request Forms<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/links.html\">Links &#038; Resources<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"http:\/\/delaware.gov\/help\/foia_request.shtml\">FOIA Request Form<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li><a id=\"SocialMenuHeader\"><h2>Connect <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-o-up fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul id=\"SocialMenu\">\r\n        <li class=\"facebook\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DEPublicHealth\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Division of Public Health Facebook Page\"><i class=\"fa fa-facebook-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Facebook<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"twitter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Delaware_DHSS\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Delaware Health and Social Services Twitter Account\"><i class=\"fa fa-twitter-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Twitter<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <!-- <li class=\"googleplus\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-google-plus-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Google +<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"flickr\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-flickr fa-lg\"><\/i> Flickr<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"youtube\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-youtube-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Youtube<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"instagram\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram fa-lg\"><\/i> Instagram<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"linkedin\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Linkedin<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"pinterest\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-pinterest-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Pinterest<\/a><\/li> -->\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n  <\/ul>\r\n\r\n              <\/div>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n          <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <\/div><br>\r\n\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"col-md-9\" id=\"main_content\"> \r\n\r\n  <!--[type=HTMLEDIT name=\"Content\"]-->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Three dimensional picture of the map of the State of Delaware.\" class=\"pull-right img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/img\/de3d.gif\">In Delaware, if you:\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <li>have eaten at a restaurant\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <li>vacationed at a campground\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <li>swam at a public beach or pool\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <li>drank a glass of milk\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <li>got married or divorced\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <li>had a baby\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <li>required hospital or nursing home care\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <li>needed a flu shot\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <li>had a prescription filled\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <li>been treated by a paramedic\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n\r\n  then the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has touched your life in some important way. This is public health in Delaware.\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n\r\n  Assuring the quality of our food, checking the safety of restaurants, maintaining the state&#8217;s vital records, screening newborns for\r\n\r\n\r\n  hearing and genetic diseases and setting standards for emergency medical services are just some of the duties of \u00a0DPH in Delaware.\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n\r\n  In fact, DPH has MANY different programs that benefit\u00a0each state resident and visitor, although our\u00a0daily activities of\r\n\r\n\r\n  maintaining the public&#8217;s health are rarely noticed unless a breakdown in the system occurs. These essential programs and services\r\n\r\n\r\n  make up Delaware&#8217;s public health system, a system that forms a frontline defense against disease through preventive measures and\r\n\r\n\r\n  education.\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n\r\n  In the past, DPH directed state efforts to control smallpox, cholera and typhoid, virtually eliminated polio, reduced dental decay\r\n\r\n\r\n  through fluoridation of community water supplies, and corrected sanitary conditions that threatened water and food supplies. Public\r\n\r\n\r\n  health has provided the foundation for remarkable gains in saving lives and reducing suffering.\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n\r\n  Today, DPH has programs to deal with persistent problems that require continued vigilance \u2013 infectious diseases, such as AIDS\r\n\r\n\r\n  (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and meningococcal disease; foodborne and communicable diseases,\r\n\r\n\r\n  such as E. coli 0157:H7, salmonella and West Nile virus; vaccine preventable diseases; lead poisoning; lack of health care in rural\r\n\r\n\r\n  areas; health disparities among racial groups, breast, cervical and prostate cancer; and other health threats &#8212; sexually transmitted\r\n\r\n\r\n  diseases, tobacco use, poor nutrition and other conditions associated with high-risk behaviors.\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n\r\n  Recently, DPH has been charged with improving\u00a0public health preparedness to\u00a0handle\u00a0the state&#8217;s response\r\n\r\n\r\n  to\u00a0threats against the health of Delawareans.\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>  <!--[END]-->\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <\/div><!-- \/container -->\r\n\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen What is Public Health? Public Health Menu Home About About DPH Sections &#038; Programs Office Locations Contact Info Calendar Services A-Z Services Air &#038; Water Quality Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records Clinics Health Data &#038; Statistics Emergency Preparedness Health &#038; Wellness Healthy Homes Healthy Workplaces Laboratory Restaurant Inspections Screening and Testing WIC Additional Services [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10543","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10543"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11769,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10543\/revisions\/11769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}