About The Public Health Department

Assessments and Plans: Reference the documents that guide our public health efforts.

Board of Health: Meet our governing board.

Building Locations & Services: See which services are available at each Public Health location.

Data & Maps: Dive deeper into public health data.

Student Opportunities: Find upcoming opportunities for students.

Governance

As required by law, a Board of Health oversees Arapahoe County Public Health and appoints a public health director. As is the case in the County, if the public health director is not a physician, they also work with a medical officer. 

What is Public Health?

Public Health vs. Medical Care

There are lots of ways both private medical providers and local governments help keep residents healthy and safe. But understanding the differences between public health and medical care can be confusing, so we’re breaking down the main differences below to help you better understand the work of our health department.

In general:

Successful public health programs help communities thrive. These programs help prevent disease, reduce accidents, and encourage safety. The Centers for Disease Control has identified some specific successes of public health that include:

1. Vaccine-preventable diseases—Vaccines, including those for rotavirus, HPV and tetanus, have resulted in fewer hospitalizations, deaths, and health-care costs associated with vaccine-preventable diseases.
2. Prevention and control of infection disease—Targeted prevention efforts have been effective in controlling the spread of infectious diseases.
3. Tobacco control—Efforts like those regulating the purchase and use of tobacco have substantially reduced the number of people who smoke. Smoking has been associated with increased rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and COPD.
4. Maternal and infant health—Improvements in technology and screening of newborns for specific diseases have led to earlier life-saving treatment and intervention.
5. Motor vehicle safety—Regulation interventions, like those requiring seat belts and car seats for children or addressing impaired drivers, have led to fewer people dying or being seriously injured while traveling by car. 
6. Cardiovascular disease prevention—Deaths from heart disease and strokes have declined as corresponding risk factors, like smoking and elevated cholesterol, have also been reduced through public health efforts.
7. Occupational safety—Education on working conditions, such as safe patient lifting in health care settings or outreach to families working in agriculture to help parents to match chores with their child's development and physical capabilities, have reduced workplace injuries.
8. Cancer prevention—Increases in screening, like those for colon, breast and cervical cancer, along with more effective screenings, have reduced deaths.
9. Childhood lead poisoning prevention—The number of states with lead poisoning prevention laws, and enforcement of those laws, increased and the prevalence of lead poisoning was subsequently reduced.
10. Public health preparedness and response—Since the terrorist attacks in 2001, efforts to expand the capacity of systems to respond to public health threats. For example, treatments were quickly delivered to treat people during a cholera outbreak in Haiti.

History of Public Health

Public health efforts date back to ancient times, with a focus on sanitation, distribution of clean water and even recycling. Much more recently, public health activities have been defined as assessment, planning, and policy development. The COVID-19 pandemic has called the attention of the general public to the role of public health in their daily lives.

On a state level the Department of Public Health and Environment serves public health needs; however, every county is also required to have a public health department. Tri-County Health Department served as the health agency for Arapahoe County between 1948 and 2022. Arapahoe County Public Health opened its doors on Jan. 1, 2023. 

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