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

More than 60K Harris County babies are too young for measles vaccines, worrying parents

20 Mar, 25

“You can get the vaccine as early as 9 months” for babies exposed to a community experiencing an outbreak, said Roselynn Ruth, director of nursing for Harris County Public Health. “But of course, Houston is not in outbreak status.”

How new Harris County Sheriff’s Office district boundaries will impact Spring, Klein area

19 Mar, 25

Lupe Washington, director of the Community Health and Violence Prevention Services division of HCPH, said the county analyzed gun violence and social vulnerability data to determine where HART and RISE would launch.

“These tend to be neighborhoods that have been historically underserved. They may be areas where there are food deserts; transportation may be an issue,” Washington said.

PRESS RELEASES

Harris County Public Health’s Tuberculosis Elimination Program Receives National Recognition by the CDC Before World TB Day

19 Mar, 25

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is proud to announce that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized its Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination Program as a 2025 U.S. TB Elimination Champion.

Food Connects Us: Fueling the Future with Healthy Habits in Harris County

11 Mar, 25

March is National Nutrition Month®, and Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is highlighting the importance of making healthy food choices and developing physical activity habits to support overall well-being and prevent chronic diseases.