Director’s Message

Welcome to the Marion County Public Health Department’s web site. I hope that you find our web site a helpful resource – one that provides you with a better understanding of public health.

Public health is somewhat invisible to many people until public health emergencies occur in our community. But the health department is concerned with the health of the public every day of the year, not just during crises. Public health encompasses more than most people realize, sanitation, restaurant inspections, housing code compliance, immunization, communicable disease control, health education, prenatal care coordination, and the list continues. The practice of public health is vital to our individual and collective well-being. Because public health is a community issue, we at the Health Department regularly seek community involvement.

The dramatic achievements of public health in the 20th century have improved our quality of life: an increase in life expectancy, world-wide reduction in infant and child mortality, and the elimination or reduction of many communicable diseases.

The Marion County Public Health Department is dedicated to help the residents of Marion County achieve and maintain an optimal level of wellness. The Health Department and its partners are committed to embracing and promoting diversity throughout our programs. We are at work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to keep the residents of Indianapolis safe.

We encourage an active network of public health and safety professionals and community-based organizations. We are the community voice of public health based on our knowledge, experience, skills and accessibility.

I hope you find what you are looking for here and will add our web site to your list of favorites. Technology can help us be better informed about your needs.

Virginia A. Caine, MD
Director & Chief Medical Officer
Marion County Public Health Department