Mission

"To protect and promote the health

Health

Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...

 and safety

Safety

Safety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be...

 of the people of Rhode Island."

Divisions and Centers

• Central Management is divided into three programs: Executive Functions, Management Services, and Emergency Preparedness and Response. Executive Functions is headed by the Director of Health and oversees all Department-sponsored activities. Management Services oversees the Department budget and provides support to manage programs. Emergency Preparedness and Response plans, assesses, educates, and supports the community during disasters or emergencies.
• The Office of State Medical Examiners investigates causes of death that may endanger the community
  Community
  The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
  
   and uses this information to keep the public aware and safe.
• Environmental and Health Services Regulation licenses and regulates health professionals and monitors beach
  Beach
  A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
  
   and drinking water
  Drinking water
  Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
  
   quality.
• The State Laboratories support scientific research to detect diseases, protect the public from terrorism
  Terrorism
  Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
  
   threats health and use health evidence in crime investigations
  Investigations
  Investigations may refer to:* Griffin Investigations, the most prominent group of private investigators specializing in the gambling industry* "Investigations" , the 36th episode of the television series Star Trek: Voyager...
  
  .
• Public Health Information provides information for the public to understand health risks and make healthy and safe choices.
• Community and Family Health and Equity develops programs to eliminate health disparities by ensuring equal access, creating partnerships with the community and healthcare facilities, promoting healthy lifestyles, and educating citizens on public health issues.
• Infectious Disease and Epidemiology conducts disease surveillance, responds to outbreaks, and provides health education
  Education
  Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
  
  .