Author: Shaye Laridian
Last saved by: Troche, Carlos (DPH)
Company: Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Commissioner Robert Goldstein, MD, PhD

We Keep People Healthy and Communities Strong

We make it safe to eat and drink in Massachusetts.

Inspected 2,000 food manufacturing facilities and supported local boards of health inspecting 40,000 food outlets

Investigated more than 900 cases of food-borne illness and more than 70 outbreaks

Evaluated the health risks of PFAS contamination – from swimming, eating fish, and drinking water in Massachusetts communities

We ensure that your environment is healthy and safe.

Investigated 6,000 homes for lead paint and helped over 450 families eliminate the risk of lead poisoning for children

With local health, tested over 16,000 water samples at 1,100 beaches

Safety inspected over 1,000 X-ray, laser and mammography machines to protect patients and the public

We prevent injury, illness and premature death.

Answered 43,000 calls on the 988/Suicide and Crisis Lifeline supporting individuals in emotional distress or suicidal crisis

Performed over 250,000 lab tests for infectious illnesses such as flu, measles and HIV

Help thousands of people manage chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure

Conducted 10,000 inspections to enforce new laws preventing menthol tobacco sales and tobacco and vape sales to those under 21

We give children a healthy start and support people in vulnerable situations.

Over 158,000 children screened for lead poisoning

95% child vaccination rate prior to starting school, keeping fellow students and
families safe 92,760 middle and high school students screened for substance  use, ensuring treatment and support

Assisted 44,000 children under 3 with a developmental delay or risk of delay through early intervention services

Screened 99.3% of babies for hearing loss and provided home visiting support to thousands of families
Provided WIC benefits to 186,000 pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and their children

We ensure that hospitals and other healthcare facilities meet the highest standards.

Our 4 DPH multi-specialty hospitals provide acute and chronic medical care, including for COVID-19 and special populations

Issued more than 414,400 licenses, registrations and permits for health care personnel

Kept millions of patients, clients and seniors safe by inspecting facilities

We help prepare for and respond to violence, emergencies, and disasters.

Led the statewide public health and vaccination response to COVID-19, including data analysis and reporting, developing guidance and policy for health care, medical, education, and other settings, managing public communications, and supporting more local health jurisdictions than any state health department in the nation

We prioritize equity in all we do and use data to laser-focus resources.

Maintain over 16 million vital records data on births, deaths, marriages, divorces and more

Conducted a survey analysis of 35,000 responses to better understand effects of COVID-19 on people disproportionately impacted by health inequities

To help combat the opioid epidemic, the public health data warehouse provides unique cross-government data analysis

And that’s just for one year.

www.mass.gov/dph

Images shown: Twitter logo and LinkedIn logo

April 2023