New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

125 Worth Street in 2013
Department overview
Jurisdiction	New York City
Headquarters	125 Worth Street New York, NY
Department executive	Mary Bassett, Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene
Key document	New York City Charter
Website	www.nyc.gov/health

2 Gotham Center in Long Island City, home to the DOHMH

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is the department of the government of New York City^[1] responsible for public health along with issuing birth certificates, dog licenses, and conducting restaurant inspection and enforcement. The New York City Board of Health is part of the department.^[2][3] Its regulations are compiled in title 24 of the New York City Rules (the New York City Health Code). The current commissioner is Dr. Mary Bassett, MD.

History

The department was initially set up as the New York City Board of Health, which held its first meeting in 1805 to combat an outbreak of yellow fever. In 1866, the New York State legislature enacted a bill establishing the Metropolitan Board of Health, consisting of the four Police Commissioners, four Health Commissioners appointed by the Governor, and the Health Officer for the Port of New York. In 1870 the legislature replaced the Board of Health with the Department of Health, with additional responsibilities including street cleaning and sanitary permits.^[4] As a result of its consolidation with the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services, it was renamed the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on July 29, 2002.^[5]

In March 2016, the Department issued an advisory allowing dogs to accompany human diners at restaurants that have outdoor seating.^[6][7]

Organization

• New York City Board of Health
• Commissioner of Health
  • General Counsel
  • Chief Medical Examiner
  • Executive Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer
    • Deputy Commissioner for Mental Hygiene
      • Alcohol and Drug Treatment
      • Child and Adolescent Services
      • Mental Health
      • Developmental Disabilities
    • Deputy Commissioner for Disease Control
      • Communicable Diseases
      • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control
      • Immunization
      • Public Health Laboratory
      • STI Prevention and Control
      • Tuberculosis Control
    • Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Health
      • Environmental Disease Prevention
      • Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response
      • Environmental Sciences and Engineering
      • Environmental Surveillance and Policy
      • Food Safety and Community Sanitation
      • Poison Control Center
      • Veterinary and Pest Control
    • Deputy Commissioner for Epidemiology
      • Epidemiology Services
      • Vital Statistics
      • Public Health Training
      • World Trade Center Health Registry
    • Deputy Commissioner for Health Care Access and Improvement
      • Correctional Health Services
      • Primary Care Access and Planning
      • Primary Care Information Project
      • Information Technology Initiatives
    • Deputy Commissioner for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
      • Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control
      • District Public Health Offices
      • Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health
      • School Health
    • Deputy Commissioner for Administration
    • Deputy Commissioner for Finance
    • Deputy Commissioner and Chief Information Officer
    • Deputy Commissioner for Emergency Preparedness and Response

Board of Health

The New York City Board of Health is part of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and consists of the commissioner of the department, the chairperson of the department's Mental Hygiene Advisory Board, and nine other members appointed by the mayor.^[3]

See also

• New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation
• New York State Department of Health
• New York State Department of Mental Hygiene
• Metropolitan Board of Health
• Sugary Drinks Portion Cap Rule

References

1. New York City Charter § 551(a); "There shall be a department of health and mental hygiene, the head of which shall be the commissioner of health and mental hygiene [...]"
2. New York City Charter § 553
3. New York Statewide Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce v New York City Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene, 23 NY3d 681 (2014).
4. "New York City Department of Health Centennial" (PDF). nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
5. Cooper, Michael (July 30, 2002). "Metro Briefing — Streets And Agencies Renamed". New York Times. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

External links

• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (New York City Health Code) in the Rules of the City of New York