Alabama Department of Public Health

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is the primary state health agency for the state of Alabama. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Alabama Department of Public Health is to promote, protect, and improve the health of individuals and communities of Alabama. VISION STATEMENT The Alabama Department of Public Health will lead the state in assuring the health of Alabamians by promoting healthy, safe, prepared, and informed communities. AUTHORITY Alabama law designates the State Board of Health as an advisory board to the state in all medical matters, matters of sanitation, and public health. The Medical Association, which meets annually, is the State Board of Health. The State Committee of Public Health meets monthly between the annual meetings and is authorized to act on behalf of the State Board of Health. The State Health Officer is empowered to act on behalf of the State Committee of Public Health when the committee is not in session. More than 135 years ago, medical leaders in Alabama advocated constitutional authority to oversee matters of public health. The purpose of the authority was to develop a system of hygiene to preserve and prolong life; to plan an educational program for all people on the rules which govern a healthful existence; and to determine a way for enforcing health laws for the welfare of all people.