Public Health 101: Progress and Challenges (Part 1)

January 25, 2007
State Capitol, Room 3191
1:15 – 3:00 pm

Session Objective:

Using a disease outbreak scenario, we provided an overview of the functions of the governmental public health system at the federal, state and local levels, as well as how these entities interact with the health care delivery system and the media.

Key Questions Answered:

• What are the roles of health care providers, county public health officers, the State public health officer, and federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security?
• Who is involved and how is the source of a disease outbreak identified?
• What is the role of the media in obtaining information and sharing it with the public?

Panelists included Anthony B. Iton, MD, JD, MPH (Alameda County, California, Health Officer), Kenny Goldberg (KPBS News, San Diego NPR Affiliate), Mark Horton, MD, MPH (California State Public Health Officer), Samuel J. Stratton, MD, MPH (Medical Director of the Emergency Medical Services Agency, Orange County, California) and Glennah Trochet, MD (Sacramento County, California, Health Officer).