The purpose of the Alabama Department of Public Health is to provide caring, high quality and professional services for the improvement and protection of the public’s health through disease prevention and the assurance of public health services to resident and transient populations of the state regardless of social circumstances or the ability to pay.

The Department of Public Health works closely with the community to preserve and protect the public’s health, to provide caring, quality services and serve the people of Alabama by assuring conditions in which they can be healthy.

Alabama law designates the State Board of Health as an advisory board to the state in all medical matters, matters of sanitation and public health. The Medical Association, which meets annually, is the State Board of Health. The State Committee of Public Health meets monthly between the annual meetings and is authorized to act on behalf of the State Board of Health. The State Health Officer is empowered to act on behalf of the State Committee of Public Health when the committee is not in session.