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County Government   >>  Departments   >>   Department of Health

Department Head Photo
Michael C. Caldwell, MD, MPH
Commissioner

Department of Health
387 Main Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Voice (845) 486-3400   Fax (845) 486-3447
TTY/TDD (845) 486-3417
e-Mail
After Hours Public Health Emergencies: (845) 431-6465
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Swine Flu Information
Swine Flu –  Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009.  Visit our Swine Flu webpage to find out more information.
Video Collection

See our collection of videos on various public health topics - view videos HERE.

Wipe Out Lead

"Why wait until a child tests positive for lead poisoning?" The new county-city partnership initiative to help prevent childhood lead poisoning will pro-actively identify and correct lead paint hazards in high risk housing and help ensure that children who are the greatest risk for lead poisoning are screened.   Read about the  Lead Primary Prevention program.
Poison Prevention

Poisonings can happen to anyone, at any time and in any place.  They are more common than most people think.  Visit our Poison Prevention webpage to find out more about what you can do.
Comprehensive Private Well Water Testing Program

The Comprehensive Private Well Water Testing Program is part of Dutchess County's ongoing groundwater protection strategy. Click HERE to read more about this initiative and the test results of Phase I.
HEART Safe Communities

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Dutchess County and in the nation.  Find out how the Dutchess County Department of Health is implementing the
HEART Safe Communities Program in our county.

Comprehensive Cancer Control Consortium

Dutchess County Department of Health along with community partners is working to better promote cancer prevention, improve cancer detection, increase access to health and social services and reduce the burden of cancer on a local level through the
Dutchess County Comprehensive Cancer Control Consortium.

Highlighted Health Topics

Visit our Health Highlights webpage where you'll find information about current health issues and topics.


Mission Statement

Little Girl imageThe Dutchess County Department of Health is a diverse group of capable, experienced and motivated professionals whose mission is to protect and promote the health of individuals, families, communities and our environment.

  • We are committed to the core functions of public health: assessment, assurance and policy development.
  • We strive to deliver the essential services necessary for people to live healthy lives.
  • We are increasingly data-driven in our priority setting, applying our resources in ways that optimize prevention and risk reduction

Our Vision

To build upon our tradition of excellence, leadership and compassion in promoting the highest standards of public health practice in order to protect and assist our community using the best available science.

Our Values

We value:

  • The practice of prevention
  • Ongoing learning and assessment of the strengths and health needs of our community
  • Research and its application to public health practice
  • The pursuit of innovative solutions to public health problems
  • Adherence to ethical principals in the workplace
  • Courteous and respectful treatment of all people
  • Excellence in all areas of public health practice
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Participatory decision-making
  • Encouragement of staff to develop to their full potential
  • Independent problem solving
  • Community service and volunteerism
  • Public and private partnerships
  • Written policies to administer our daily operations

We adopt these values and the ten Essential Services to guide our commitment to the ideals of public health practice:

The Ten Essential Services of Public Health

  1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems (e.g., community health profile, vital statistics, and health status)

  2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community (e.g., epidemiologic surveillance systems, laboratory support)

  3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues (e.g., health promotion and social marketing)

  4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems (e.g., convening and facilitating community groups to promote health)

  5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts (e.g., leadership development and health systems planning)

  6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety (e.g., enforcement of sanitary codes to ensure safety of environment)

  7. Link people to needed personal health services (e.g., services that increase access to health care)

  8. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce (e.g., education and training for all public health care providers)

  9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services (e.g., continuous evaluation of public health programs)

  10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems (e.g., links with academic institutions and capacity for epidemiologic and economic analyses)

Various Department of Health pictures were provided by webperson.com

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Last Updated: 4/17/2009