About

Harris County Public Health (HCPH)

Throughout the years, HCPH has responded to public health issues such as rabies, mosquito-borne illnesses, air and water pollution, disease outbreaks, water and food-borne illnesses, natural disasters, tuberculosis, polio, and other communicable diseases. 
Public health is now battling new challenges. Each year brings new diseases, new chronic disease risks, and more natural and man-made disasters.

Latest from

Public Health

IN THE NEWS

Mobile Health Units Deliver Essential Care to Harris County Communities

25 Aug, 25

Leah Barton, Interim Director of Harris County Public Health, shares how mobile health units are breaking barriers and expanding care across the county.

Harris County Expands HART Crisis Response Program to Serve All Unincorporated Areas

11 Aug, 25

In moments of crisis, the right kind of help can change the outcome — and sometimes, that help isn’t a police officer with flashing lights. It’s a trained professional arriving with a calm voice, a clipboard, and a willingness to listen. That’s the foundation of Harris County’s Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART), a program that has been reshaping local emergency response since 2022.

PRESS RELEASES

ATTN Men: Get Screened During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

04 Sep, 25

September marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and HCPH is urging men to take charge of their health through education and screening.

Kickstart Your Health: Creating Healthier Futures for Harris County Kids

03 Sep, 25

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is reminding families that small, healthy choices, like eating nutritious foods and staying active, can make a big difference in children’s lives.

Leah Barton Named Executive Director of Harris County Public Health

02 Sep, 25

Harris County has appointed Leah Barton as the new Executive Director of Harris County Public Health (HCPH), following a year of impactful leadership as Interim Director. During her interim tenure, Director Barton provided steady guidance through a dynamic period for the department, overseeing the expansion of services, the launch of new health initiatives, and the strengthening of stakeholder partnerships.

You Are Not Alone: Public Health Awareness for Suicide Prevention Resources

02 Sep, 25

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is proud to join the national movement this September to observe Suicide Prevention Month, emphasizing the critical importance of suicide prevention as a vital part of public health and community well-being.

Protecting Our Water: National Water Quality Safety Month Kicks Off

06 Aug, 25

Harris County Public Health encourages community members to take an active role in protecting and maintaining the quality of our water—whether from public systems or private wells.