The Leagues of Delaware County formed a Health Care Study Committee to continue the efforts of the previous health department consensus study which researched the public health infrastructure in Delaware County the laws governing public health in Pennsylvania, funding available to county health departments, structure of PA county health departments and if the county would benefit from a county based health department.
Action is needed to support the formation of a county based health department that:
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meets state and federal requirements,
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provides basic public health services,
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monitors, targets and identifies public health and safety issues,
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improves the health of residents,
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promotes public education on these issues, and
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coordinates responses to public health and safety emergencies.
By consolidating public health services in a single governmental entity that meets federal and state requirements, the County will:
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make Delaware County eligible for federal and state funds,
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bring taxpayer dollars back into the county,
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provide additional resources that will improve the quality and scope of public health
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service to all county residents, and
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ensure better coordination of and timely response to public health emergencies.