California Department of Public Health

California Department of Public Health
Agency overview
JurisdictionCalifornia
Annual budgetUS$ 3.5 billion (2011)
Agency executive
  • Tomás Aragón, MD, DrPH, Director and State Public Health Officer
Parent agencyCalifornia Health and Human Services Agency
Websitecdph.ca.gov

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is the state department responsible for public health in California. It is a subdivision of the California Health and Human Services Agency. It enforces some of the laws in the California Health and Safety Codes, notably the licensing of some types of healthcare facilities. One of its functions is to oversee vital records operations throughout the state.[1]

On August 9, 2020, Dr. Sonia Y. Angell resigned as the CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. Governor Gavin Newsom indicated Angell's resignation was related to data issues with the California Reportable Disease Information Exchange (CalREDIE) system that resulted in nearly 300,000 backlogged COVID-19 test results.[2] On August 10, 2020, Sandra Shewry was appointed as acting director and Erica Pan, California state epidemiologist, was named acting state public health officer.[3] On December 7, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Tomás Aragón, MD, DrPH as the next Director and State Public Health Officer of the California Department of Public Health.[4]

  1. ^ Figueroa, Teri (May 19, 2009), "No more free peeks at vital records", North County Times, San Diego, CA, archived from the original on September 5, 2012, retrieved May 20, 2009
  2. ^ Yamamura, Kevin; Colliver, Victoria. "Newsom indicates California health officer's abrupt departure related to test data problem". Politico PRO. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  3. ^ "Governor gives few details on top California official's exit". SFChronicle.com. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Governor Newsom Announces Appointments 12.7.20". California Governor. December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.