Public Health Division
Major changes are being made at the Wyoming Department of Health to ensure needed services are delivered as successfully and responsibly as possible. The recently organized Public Health Division includes the Community Health Section, Health Readiness and Response Section, Preventive Health and Safety Section, and Public Health Sciences Section.
While we are working toward updating our website, there may be some inconsistencies in the interim.
Community Health
Immunization Provides vaccine to public and private medical providers to immunize children, birth to 18 years of age. The program also educates about vaccines and immunizations and provides technical support on vaccines/immunizations and immunization computer programs.
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Together with partners, assesses, monitors and improves the health and well-being of mothers, infants, children, and adolescents including children and youth with special health care needs.
Oral Health Administers the semi-annual Cleft Palate Clinic, payment for dental services to the elderly, and children’s dental programs; supervises community oral health coordinators, which are located in 13 counties.
Public Health Nursing Public Health Nursing (PHN) offices are located throughout the counties in Wyoming, and provide direct services in the areas of communicable disease, disease and injury prevention, emergency preparedness, health promotion, maternal and child health, and pre-admission screening for nursing home placement. PHN also serves as the local service provider for immunizations and maternal and family health programs.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) A federally funded program that provides a nutritious supplemental food package, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health referrals to at-risk pregnant, postpartum, and breast-feeding women; infants; and children up to age five whose incomes fall at or below 185 percent of poverty.
Health Readiness and Response Section
Emergency Medical Services The Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) provides community-based emergency medical training. OEMS ensures quality pre-hospital emergency care to the general public by certifying personnel, licensing ambulance services, inspecting vehicles, providing technical assistance and administrative support and taking legal action. The program assures that regional accredited poison information and treatment center is available to residents and healthcare professionals 24 hours/day/365 days/year.
Rural Health, Office of Promotes collaboration in expanding comprehensive, community based primary care services in the rural/frontier communities of Wyoming.
Community Services Programs
End Stage Renal Disease
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEPP) Develops, coordinates, trains and exercises Wyoming Department of Health response plans for public health emergencies. Provides funding and guidance to county and tribal public health entities and enhances laboratory, epidemiology and communications capabilities.
Preventive Health and Safety Section
Chronic Disease and Substance Abuse Prevention Unit Receives federal and state funding to manage diverse state- and community-based programs for the prevention and early intervention of underage drinking and adult binge drinking, tobacco use, drug abuse, suicide and chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease/stroke and diabetes; cancer surveillance and reporting; and outreach and education efforts.
Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Program
Environmental and Occupational Health Program (Blood Lead Screening and Radon Program)
Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program
Tobacco Prevention and Control Program
Communicable Disease Unit Receives federal and state funding for prevention and education of the following communicable diseases: tuberculosis, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis B and C, and sexually transmitted infections. Provides funding for health education and risk reduction interventions.
Public Health Sciences Section
Chronic Disease and Maternal Child Health Epidemiology This program collects detailed information on cancer cases diagnosed in Wyoming. The program also coordinates needs assessment activities to monitor the health of mothers, children and youth in the state.
Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit The Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program oversees the surveillance and control of infectious diseases throughout the state including: food and waterborne disease (E. coli, giardia, etc.); vaccine-preventable diseases (pertussis, bacterial meningitis, etc.); zoonotic diseases (plague, Q-fever, etc.) and vectorborne diseases (West Nile virus, Colorado tick fever, etc.).
Public Health Laboratory Performs analytical procedures for both Public Health Sciences Section, and for state and community health, law enforcement and substance abuse agencies. Public Health Emergency Preparedness lab, BSL-3 capability for detection of biohazardous/bioterrorism agents, development of testing procedures for emerging pathogens, clinical lab training, outbreak preparedness for biohazardous agents and chemical terrorism preparedness. Chemical testing program performs DUI alcohol analysis, substance abuse toxicology, drug analysis collection training, intoximeter training/quality control and expert witness services. Microbiology service provides testing for communicable and infectious diseases and outbreaks, bacterial/parasite identification, strep testing, viral vaccine serology, mycobacteriology, molecular typing, STD and blood-borne virus detection, EPA drinking water analysis, West Nile virus testing and influenza surveillance.