Boston Public Health Commission
Encyclopedia
The Boston Public Health Commission, the oldest health department in the United States, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs. It is governed by a seven-member board of health appointed by Boston's Mayor. It's mission is to "protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable." The commission is headquartered at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue
in Boston.
outbreaks. Paul Revere
was Boston's first health commissioner.
In 1864 the Boston City Hospital opened, managed by the board.
The Boston Public Health Act of 1995 caused the organization of the current commission. In 1996, the modern Boston Public Health Commission opened after the Boston City Hospital
(founded 1864) and Boston University Hospital (founded 1855) were merged into the Boston Medical Center
. This was the first full merger in the United States of a public hospital with a private academic medical center and its hospital.
In total there are forty different programs, including Boston' Emergency Medical Services and Homeless Shelters.
," tobacco-leaf papers that are used to make marijuana cigarette
s, in Boston. In April 2009 a Massachusetts judge upheld the ban.
Massachusetts Avenue
Massachusetts Avenue may refer to:* Massachusetts Avenue , Massachusetts, also:** Massachusetts Avenue , a subway station on the MBTA Orange Line...
in Boston.
History
In 1799, The Boston Board of Health was established to combat any potential choleraCholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
outbreaks. Paul Revere
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
was Boston's first health commissioner.
In 1864 the Boston City Hospital opened, managed by the board.
The Boston Public Health Act of 1995 caused the organization of the current commission. In 1996, the modern Boston Public Health Commission opened after the Boston City Hospital
Boston City Hospital
The Boston City Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, was "intended for the use and comfort of poor patients, to whom medical care will be provided at the expense of the city, and .....
(founded 1864) and Boston University Hospital (founded 1855) were merged into the Boston Medical Center
Boston Medical Center
Boston Medical Center is a non-profit 639 licensed-bed medical center in Boston, Massachusetts. It was created by the formal merger of Boston City Hospital which was the first municipal hospital in the United States and Boston University Medical Center Hospital in July 1996 which was sponsored...
. This was the first full merger in the United States of a public hospital with a private academic medical center and its hospital.
Organization
The Boston Public Health Commission is formed up of six different bureaus:- Child, Adolescent, and Family Health
- Community Initiatives
- Emergency Medial Services & Public Health Preparedness
- Homeless Services
- Infectious Disease
- Addictions Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Support Services
In total there are forty different programs, including Boston' Emergency Medical Services and Homeless Shelters.
Tobacco Regulation
In 2008, the BPHC banned the sale of "blunt wrapsBlunt (cigar)
A blunt is a cigar which is wider than a cigarillo and not quite as wide as a Corona. These cigars typically consist of two main parts; the inner leaf, which is similar to a cigarette rolling paper, except it is made of tobacco, and a thicker outer leaf which is rolled around the inner leaf in a...
," tobacco-leaf papers that are used to make marijuana cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
s, in Boston. In April 2009 a Massachusetts judge upheld the ban.