Dr. Ana M. Viamonte Ros, Secretary

The mission of the Florida Department of Health is to promote and protect the health and safety of all people in Florida through the delivery of quality public health services and the promotion of health care standards.

This mission is accomplished by:

• identifying health risks in the community;
• maintaining a safe and healthful environment;
• detecting, investigating, and preventing the spread of disease;
• promoting healthy lifestyles;
• providing primary care for individuals with limited access to such care from the private sector; and ensuring that health care practitioners meet the requirements for providing adequate care;
• informing the public on health issues.

Florida's public health and related agencies take on three main roles: health protection, health promotion and disease prevention, and health treatment.