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Mission: To improve the health of individuals, families and communities through disease prevention, health promotion
and protection from environmental threats.
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Gary M. Goldbaum, MD, MPH, Health Officer
Biography
Snohomish Health District
Snohomish Health District was created in 1959 under Washington State Law (RCW 70.46) as the municipal corporation responsible for public
health in Snohomish County. A 15-member Board of Health oversees the budget and policies
of the Health District. All five Snohomish County Council members sit on the Board of Health, together with ten city council members or
mayors representing the 20 incorporated cities and towns in the county. Public meetings of the Board of Health are held monthly.
Snohomish Health District provides a wide range of programs and services that protect and promote the public health in many ways. Our
Environmental Health Division, issues permits for all businesses that sell food
to the public, public and semi-public swimming pools, on-site septic systems, small public water systems and solid waste disposal facilities.
Environmental health specialists regularly inspect food establishments, swimming pools and solid waster facilities and help home owners
keep their on-site septic systems in good working order. They also evaluate and respond to complaints about garbage accumulations,
failing septic systems, potential toxins in the environment, contaminated wells, vermin and other potential public health risks. Health
educators ensure that all food workers are educated about food safety and issued food worker cards valid throughout Washington State.
Nurses and epidemiologists in the Communicable Disease Control Division collect
and analyze disease reports to detect outbreaks and trends and respond with control measures. Screening, diagnosis and treatment is carried
out for diseases such as tuberculosis, meningitis, whooping cough, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted diseases. We provide health education
on these topics in many venues to help ensure that the public is aware of disease prevention measures they can take themselves. Contact
tracing and partner notification are done to ensure that persons are aware of possible risk and receive appropriate education, screening
and preventive treatment. We serve as the lead county for a 5-county region to ensure HIV/AIDS prevention and care services and also to
ensure public health emergency preparedness.
The Community Health Division provides thousands of immunizations for children,
adults and world travelers. Many other programs focus on improving the health of families and children. Public health nurses make home
visits to families with high-risk pregnancies or children with special health needs to ensure the best possible environment for the
critical time of early childhood. We also see many of these children and families in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program
where they can not only receive food vouchers and nutritional screening and counseling, but also assessment for child development and
referral for social and health service needs. Car seats, booster seats and bike helmets are provided for low-income families to protect
infants and children. Dental hygienists and nutritionists provide school-based screenings and education and do sealant application. The
Tobacco Control Program provides community education, promotes tobacco use cessation and assists with enforcement of smoke free workplace
laws and laws to prevent tobacco sales to minors. A team of public health nurses, health educators and environmental health specialists
provide voluntary inspections and education for licensed childcare centers.
The Health Statistics and Assessment Program does regular analysis of health
data for Snohomish County and produces many reports and analyses that are available on this website. Certified copies of birth and
death certificates are issued under our role as the local vital statistics registrar.
In everything we do to protect and promote the health of the public and prevent illness and injury, Snohomish Health District staff seek
to engage in partnerships with other agencies in our community. Such community partnerships are essential to the success of our mission.
We work to keep the growing population of Snohomish County healthy by fulfilling our mission.
ALWAYS WORKING FOR A SAFER AND HEALTHIER SNOHOMISH COUNTY
Last Reviewed and updated March 13, 2007
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