Public health represents society’s collective action to support conditions for people to be healthy. It uses many of the same people and tools as the healthcare industry—doctors, nurses, dentists, exam rooms, testing laboratories and medicines. However, public health seeks to protect and promote the health of groups of people, from the customers of a single restaurant to the residents of an entire continent.
The state of Georgia employs both a state public health department (DPH) and separate county Boards of Health, which are organized into 18 health districts. District 4 comprises 12 counties in west Georgia: Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson.
Our work is connected to DPH through our Interim District Health Director, Dr. Beverley A. Townsend, who was appointed by the DPH commissioner to serve as the CEO of our county Boards of Health. Click here to learn more about District 4’s leadership team.
District 4 protects and improves the health and safety of our communities by coordinating with the general public, healthcare providers, community partners, and local, state and federal agencies. We prevent disease and injury by performing inspections of public facilities, disease surveillance and immunization programs. We are also responsible for promoting good health through education and counseling, health screenings and targeted health care services.
Mission
Improve, maintain, and protect the health of our communities.
Vision
Through guidance, collaboration, and consistency, lead the way for our communities to live healthier and safer lives.
Value Statements
To be LEADERS in our communities, promoting positive health and social change by:
• Assuring internal and external ACCOUNTABILITY through commitment, communication, and transparency.
• Embracing CHANGE and FLEXIBILITY to adapt to the current environment.
• Ensuring QUALITY, SAFETY and CONSISTENCY of all programs and services provided.
• Fostering a culture of DIVERSITY, INCLUSION and EQUITY.
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement to further develop and sustain a CULTURE OF QUALITY.
• Maintaining INTEGRITY and RESPECT in performing core functions and providing essential public health services.
• Nurturing an INNOVATIVE and PROGRESSIVE culture.
• Promoting COLLABORATION and COMMUNITY PARTNER ENGAGEMENT to improve population health outcomes.