Oakland County Health Department Case Study

Oakland County Health Department (OCHD) provides various health services for the residents of the Oakland County, Michigan. The Department runs over 30 programs that are focused on health of the community. The programs include: emergency preparedness, surveillance of disease hazards and spread of diseases, clean and safe environment, health promotion and health care accessibility for its citizens.
One of the programs provided by OCHD is –Community Nursing Service Program. OCHD nurse provides nursing services to the vulnerable population in the county. Thera are currently 35 nurses that provide home visitation in Oakland County. Their role is focused mainly in health promotion and disease prevention. The program was initiated in 2000 to reduce the disparity in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) between African American and White population in Oakland County.
Another program provided by OCHD is the immunization program for all ages. The program operates as a walk-in clinic. Some of the immunizations are free, other require a certain fee. Most of the childhood
“The local health department’s authority is derived, in part, from responsibilities delegated by the state” (Clark, Mary Jo, 2003). For example, the state delegates to the local level, the responsibility to collect the statistics on all deaths and births. Therefore, the local agencies can legally reinforce the requirements that the death certificates are completed on all deaths. Also, funding at the local level come from local and state, as well as, federal subsidies. The local health departments are responsible mainly for health promotion and enforcement-related legislation. In addition, local health agencies have responsibility to perform core functions and essential services of public health at local