Santa Rosa County Health Department has been part of the state and national public health system since 1944.  Past public health efforts have wiped out or brought under control such deadly diseases as polio, malaria, yellow fever, and smallpox.

Public Health Services in Florida are intended to protect and promote the health of all citizens and visitors to Florida. 

       Public Health functions include:

• Assessing the status of the public's health
• Preventing epidemics and the spread of disease
• Protecting against environmental hazards
• Preventing injuries
• Responding to disasters and helping the community recover
• Assuring quality and accessibility of health services

• Providing some health care services such as family planning and pediatric care

Free Tdap Shots

While supplies last, Santa Rosa County Health Department will be offering free Tdap shots (Tetanus diphtheria and acellular pertussis) to caretakers of small children, new parents and grandparents.  For additional information, please call:

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

On April 22, 2010 an explosion and fire occurred aboard the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit, Deepwater Horizon owned by British Petroleum (BP). The oil rig was stationed 130 miles southeast of New Orleans, 42 miles Southeast of Venice, LA. Since the explosion and subsequent sinking of the rig, oil has been leaking at a rate of approximately 5000 barrels (210,000 gallons) per day and has formed an oil slick that is spreading across the Gulf of Mexico.

The State Emergency Response Team is working with Florida counties, BP, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and other agencies to maximize protection and minimize impacts.
 

At this time, there are no indications of any health risks to Floridians due to the Deepwater Horizon incident. The Department of Health and DEP are closely monitoring health and environmental impacts to Florida's beaches and will send an advisory if conditions become unsafe.

For more information including health precautions, volunteer opportunities, and information concerning fisheries and seafood, click on the Deepwater Oil Spill link under Hot Topics.

For questions concerning H1N1 please call the toll free DOH H1N1 hotline at (877) 352-3581. 

The line is open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST.

Become a Volunteer in the Medical Reserve Corp!

The Medical Reserve Corps is dedicated to establishing teams of local volunteer medical and public health professionals to contribute their skills and expertise throughout the year as well as during times of community need.  To learn more about MRC, visit www.medicalreservecorps.gov/HomePage.

To register, visit the Florida Emergency Health Volunteer Registry at www.servfl.com and click the "Register Now" button.

Clicking the "Register Now" button will also allow you to sign up to work with the Haiti relief effort.

For more information call 850-983-5200 x. 308