Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Health Services › DHS 110-199 - Health › Chapter DHS 140 - Required Services Of Local Health Departments › Section DHS 140.03 - Definitions

Current through June 24, 2024
In this chapter:
(1)
				"Community health assessment" means the regular, systematic collection,
				assembly, analysis and dissemination of information on the health of the
				community.
(1m) "Community health
				improvement plan" means the written plan developed by a local health department
				with the involvement of key policy makers and the general public to implement
				the services and functions specified under s.
				250.03(1)
				(L), Stats., pursuant to s.
				251.05(3)
				(c), Stats., and the requirements of this
				chapter.
(2) "Department" means the
				Wisconsin department of health services.
(3) "Environmental health program" means the
				assessment, management, control and prevention of environmental factors that
				may adversely affect the health, comfort, safety or well-being of individuals
				within the jurisdiction of the local health department by individuals qualified
				under s.
				440.98,
				Stats., and ch. DHS 139.
(4)
				"Epidemiological investigation" means the systematic examination and detailed
				inquiry into the circumstances and causal factors associated with a given
				disease or injury.
(5) "General
				public health nursing program" means the organization and delivery of public
				health nursing services by public health nurses qualified under s.
				250.06(1),
				Stats., and s.
				DHS 139.08
				to individuals within the jurisdiction of the local health
				department.
(6) "Health promotion"
				means programs and services that increase the public understanding of health,
				assist in the development of more positive health practices and enhance or
				maintain the health of the community as a whole.
(7) "Human health hazard" means a substance,
				activity or condition that is known to have the potential to cause acute or
				chronic illness or death if exposure to the substance, activity or condition is
				not abated or removed.
(8) "Local
				health department" means an agency of local government that has any of the
				forms specified in s.
				250.01(4),
				Stats.
(9) "Local health officer"
				means the person in charge of a local health department who meets the
				qualifications and is responsible for carrying out the duties established under
				s.
				251.06,
				Stats.
(10) "Other disease
				prevention" means programs and services that reduce the risk of disease,
				disability, injury or premature death caused by such factors as risky
				behaviors, poor health practices or environmental agents of disease.
(11) "Public health system" means organized
				community efforts aimed at the prevention of disease and the promotion and
				protection of health, including activities of public and private agencies and
				voluntary organizations and individuals.
(12) "State health officer" means the
				individual appointed under s.
				250.02(1),
				Stats., by the secretary of the department to develop public health policy for
				the state and direct state public health programs.
(13) "Surveillance" means the ongoing
				systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data concerning disease,
				injuries or human health hazards, and the timely dissemination of these data to
				persons responsible for preventing and controlling disease or injury and others
				who need to know.