Mission Statement:
The Epidemiology Dept of the Galveston County Health District (GCHD)
will collect, analyze and distribute health related information in efforts
to control and prevent health problems in Galveston County.

What is Public Health Surveillance?
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines Public Health Surveillance as:
"The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data on specific health events for use in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs."

Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 121 defines Essential Public Health Services as:

• Monitoring the health status of individuals to identify community health problems.
• Diagnosing / investigating community health problems.
• Informing and educating the community with respect to health issues.
• Linking individuals who need health services to appropriate providers.
• Ensuring a competent workforce for provision of essential public health services.
• Evaluating effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of health services in a community.

The principle activities of the Health District Epidemiology Department are:

Surveillance

• Handling TB aboard a cruise line
• Communicable diseases
• Immunization status of Galveston County residents
• Elevated blood lead reporting
• Drownings /near-drownings

Annual review & Distribution

• Galveston County mortality data
• Birth /Pregnancy data
• Preparation of Galveston County health status assessment reports 
• Participation in training of health care professionals