Mission & Responsibilities

The mission of the Cambridge Public Health Department is to improve the quality of life of residents and workers by reducing sickness and injury; encouraging healthy behaviors; and fostering safe and healthy environments in homes, schools, and workplaces.

The Cambridge Public Health Department upholds the national standards for local public health departments, known as the 10 Essential Public Health Services. These standards were developed within nationally recognized frameworks, and with input from public health professionals and elected officials from across the country.

1. Monitor health status to identify community health problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.
4. Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems.
5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
8. Assure a competent public health and personal healthcare workforce.
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.

These obligations are met through the work of the Department, the Cambridge Health Alliance’s clinical and community affairs programs, various city departments including Inspectional Services, and community-based organizations.