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Department of Public Health

What we do

The mission of the Department of Public Health is to protect and promote the health of all Philadelphians and to provide a safety net for people who are disproportionately impacted by societal factors that limit their access to healthcare and other resources necessary for optimal health.

Our department:

  • Provides high-quality medical care at City health centers.
  • Prevents the spread of illness and infectious disease.
  • Protects against environmental hazards.
  • Encourages healthy behaviors to prevent chronic disease.
  • Plans and responds to health emergencies.
  • Ensures the quality and accessibility of health services.
  • Sets health policy.
  • Collects, analyzes, and reports on a variety of public health data.

Two boards provide us with guidance on policy and regulatory issues: the Board of Health and the Air Pollution Control Board. Our Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews research studies that involve human subjects.

The Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) determines the cause and manner of death for sudden, unexpected, and unnatural deaths in Philadelphia.

 

The City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, sex, age, religion, or sexual orientation in the administration of its programs and activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Please visit Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy to learn more, including guidance of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Connect

Address
1101 Market St.
13th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Social

Programs

Events

  • Jul
    23
    Navigating Partner Loss: Grief Support Group
    6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

    Navigating Partner Loss: Grief Support Group

    July 23, 2025
    6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, 2 hours
    Register at https://redcap.phila.gov/surveys/?s=A7FELKJWED.

    Losing a partner to substance use can leave a deepand lasting ache shadowed by a range of feelingssuch as confusion, anger, shame, loneliness, and relief.While this grief can be uniquely challenging, the goodnews is that you don’t have to walk this journey alone.

    Join a compassionate and safespace to connect and heal withothers. What to Expect:
    - Open, nonjudgmental conversation
    - Supportive community and shared stories
    - Gentle guidance and space to grieve yourown way

    For more information or to register, contact Talia Jones, MS attalia.jones@phila.gov or via call/text at 856-823-1775.
  • Jul
    28
    South Philadelphia Resource Hub: Free Produce Distribution
    11:00 am to 1:00 pm
    Mt Enon Baptist Church, 500 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148, USA

    South Philadelphia Resource Hub: Free Produce Distribution

    July 28, 2025
    11:00 am to 1:00 pm, 2 hours
    Mt Enon Baptist Church, 500 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148, USA
    map
    Stop by the Mt. Enon Resource Hub every Monday for: 
    • Free produce (various fruits and vegetables) - Bring your own bag.
    • Free COVID-19 test kits
    • Free masks (surgical and respirator available)
    • Free At-Home HIV Test Kits 
    • Free Narcan and Test Strips for Fentanyl and Xylazine
    Hub Entrance is on Cantrell St.  Look for the City of Philadelphia banner!
  • Jul
    31
    Overdose Prevention and Reversal Training
    12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

    Overdose Prevention and Reversal Training

    July 31, 2025
    12:00 pm to 1:30 pm, 2 hours

    This is a detailed description of how to recognize and respond to an opioid-related overdose with naloxone, or Narcan. The training is approximately 1.5 hours with an additional 15 minutes for questions. You can choose to have Narcan discreetly mailed to you after the training. We aim to prioritize our Narcan supply for those with the least access to Narcan and those most likely to witness an overdose. If you have the resources to acquire Narcan on your own, please consider going to your local pharmacy to get it.

    *Trigger Warning*: This training involves detailed discussions of drug use, overdoses, and demonstrations on how to use Narcan. If you have any concerns, please feel free to email SUPHR staff at overdose.prevention@phila.gov. This training provides background information and data on opioid use, Philadelphia's drug supply, and overdoses in our city.

    Register here: https://pdph-phila-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/BsUKlbK4SIaKEIvfTaEttA#/registration


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