Director’s Message
How my team helps the community
Welcome to the newly redesigned website of the Marion County Public Health Department!
We are pleased to share this updated site with you and hope you find it a valuable resource—one that makes it easier to learn about public health services and how we work every day to protect and improve the health of our community.
Public health is often most visible during emergencies, but our work extends far beyond times of crisis. Throughout the year, the Marion County Public Health Department focuses on protecting health and preventing harm through services such as sanitation, restaurant inspections, housing code compliance, immunizations, communicable disease control, health education, and prenatal care coordination. Public health is essential to both individual and community well-being, and because it is a shared responsibility, we actively seek and value community involvement.
The achievements of public health in the 21st century have dramatically improved quality of life, including increased life expectancy, reduced infant and child mortality, and the elimination or control of many communicable diseases. These successes reflect the importance of sustained public health efforts at the local, national, and global levels.
Our department delivers all Ten Essential Services of Public Health, including monitoring health trends, investigating health hazards, informing and educating the public, strengthening community partnerships, enforcing health and environmental laws, improving access to care, and ensuring a skilled public health workforce.
The Marion County Public Health Department is dedicated to helping residents achieve and maintain optimal wellness. Together with our partners, we are committed to delivering programs and services that reflect and support the needs of our diverse community. Our team works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help keep Indianapolis safe and healthy.
We encourage collaboration among public health and safety professionals, community based organizations, and residents. As the community voice in public health, we are grounded in expertise, experience, and accessibility.
We invite you to explore our website, return often for updates, and make use of the information and services available here. Your engagement helps us better understand and serve the needs of our community.
Virginia A. Caine, MD
Director and Chief Medical Officer
Marion County Public Health Department
My Directive
To safeguard and improve the lives of Marion County citizens using every means possible — technology, communication, research, testing, site visits, education and more — while coordinating efforts to monitor, understand, manage and plan for all situations that impact public health.