Polk County Health Department

Established in 1943, the Polk County Health Department is a part of the Florida Department of Health. The Polk County Health Department assesses the public health status, prevents epidemics and the spread of disease, protects against environmental hazards, guards against the occurrence of injury-causing situations and responds to disasters. The department assures the quality and accessibility of health services and provides family planning and pediatric care services. The Polk County Health Department administers adult and traveler's immunization and dental programs. The department also supports the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which reduces the impact of breast and cervical cancer through education, early detection and treatment. In addition, it supports a nutrition program for pregnant and breastfeeding women; infants; and children up to the age of 5. The Polk County Health Department offers several school health services, including the scoliosis screening of students, case management, health education and referrals for community agencies. The department additionally supports injury and tobacco prevention programs. It administers the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) program, which works for individuals diagnosed with diseases to reduce medical complications. The department operates a clinic in Lakeland, Fla.