The Madison Board of Health manages the general activities of the Department of Health which is responsible for optimizing the public health of the communities it serves. The three core functions of Public Health, as defined by the National Institutes of Health in 1998, are assessment, assurance and policy development. Assessment Monitoring health status in order to identify health issues within the community. Investigation/diagnosis of health issues and hazards within the community. Evaluation of the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of the health services within the community. Assurance Assures that the community can count on a competent public and personal care workforce. Links people to personal health services and provides these services and health care when it is otherwise not available (e.g., Public Health clinics). Informs and educates people about health issues and empowers them to take control of their own health. Mobilizes community partnerships in order to identify and solve health problems. Policy Development Develop policies and plans that support health efforts on both individual and community levels. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety. Research new insights and innovate solutions to health problems. ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES These tasks further define the core functions and serve as the basis of the New Jersey Public Health Practice Standards: Monitor health status to identify community health problems. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community. Inform, educate and empower people about health issues. Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable. Assure a competent Public Health and personal health care workforce. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population-based health services. Conduct research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems. Some of the Health Department's specific services are as follows: Environmental Health Services This includes, but is not limited to, conducting an on-site retail food establishment inspection and surveillance, conducting a sanitation and safety program at public bathing places, conducting a youth camp sanitation and safety program, and conducting a public health nuisance abatement program. This program includes the investigation of health nuisances such as noise, noxious odors, weed overgrowth, water pollution, solid waste, property maintenance, improper storageof garbage and garbage receptacles, improper storage of firewood, pest control, animal control, and dumping of solid waste. Some other Environmental Health Services are lead paint investigations; inspections of multiple housing; inspections of pet shops, pounds, and kennels; investigations of animal bite incidents for rabies control; and providing follow up investigations and general assistance for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy. Personal Health Services Some of these are conducting child health conferences, cancer screenings twice yearly for men and women, administering flu shots seasonally, and school health audits. Health Education Services Some of these include mammography coupon distribution, the Madison Alliance Against Substance Abuse, and distributing news releases. Registrar Services Some of these include marriage licenses, birth transcripts and death transcripts, and dog and cat licenses.