Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

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Health services to over 10 million residents in the Los Angeles County are provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Mental health services are provided by a separate department, the County Department of Mental Health.

[edit] Department of Health Services (DHS)

DHS operates four hospitals in Los Angeles County, affiliated with each of Los Angeles County's medical schools:

Each hospital contains a trauma center and provides inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services for men, women, and children. The King Drew trauma center was closed in 2005 due to problems at that hospital.

The Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center provides physical therapy services to individuals around the country.

Under Personal Health, DHS also operates numerous clinics and outpatient health centers throughout the County. These services are primarily provided to individuals without health insurance. Many of the poor receive Medicaid or Medicare and choose to receive services at private doctors or non-profit clinics.

[edit] Department of Public Health

Under Public Health, DHS provides services to all of Los Angeles County's residents. Public health programs include:

Environmental health: operates restaurant rating system and grading systems for apartments and rental homes; inspects sewage treatment and water plants; enforces state and local environmental laws
Communicable disease control and prevention
Alcohol and drug abuse programs
Bioterrorism prevention
Epidemiology
AIDS prevention
Immunizations
Family planning
Information about nutrition

Director Dr. Johathan Fielding, has been awarded the UCLA Medal, the university's highest honor on April 16, 2009, for his work as an innovator, leader and public health visionary. He is also a professor at the UCLA School of Public Health.

[edit] History

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors tentatively approved the formation of Public Health as a separate department on May 30th 2006 and the department became separate on July 6th 2006.