Public Health

Harris County Public Health provides clinical, preventive, environmental, emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, community outreach, and animal health services for residents across Harris County. This article explains the department’s major programs, how to locate the appropriate service, what to bring to a health event or appointment, how public health concerns are reported, and which details should be confirmed before visiting a clinic or submitting a request.

Public Health Department Role

Harris County Public Health, commonly identified as HCPH, works to protect health, prevent disease and injury, and promote health and well-being throughout the county. Its responsibilities extend beyond medical appointments. The department also conducts disease surveillance, investigates environmental health concerns, prepares communities for emergencies, controls mosquitoes and other disease vectors, supports maternal and child health, provides nutrition assistance, and connects residents with public benefits and social services.

The Harris County Public Health website is the primary starting point for current service announcements, mobile health schedules, public health alerts, disease information, emergency materials, and program updates. Because event times, locations, eligibility, and service availability can change, residents should verify details through the department before traveling.

HCPH is divided into specialized offices and divisions. These include Community Health and Wellness, Environmental Public Health, Mosquito and Vector Control, Public Health Preparedness and Response, Veterinary Public Health, Health Prevention and Coordinated Care, and Community Health and Violence Prevention Services. The department also maintains offices responsible for epidemiology, surveillance, emerging diseases, communications, planning, financial services, operations, and executive leadership.

Choosing the Correct Service

The department offers many programs with different purposes, eligibility standards, appointment procedures, and service locations. Residents should begin by identifying the type of assistance they need rather than contacting several programs with the same request.

The official public health services directory organizes programs such as immunizations, family planning, food permits, food poisoning reports, HIV and STI services, dental care, diabetes prevention, maternal health, WIC, mosquito inspections, drinking water concerns, tuberculosis services, tobacco cessation, and pet services.

Major service categories include:

Clinical checkups, wellness exams, screenings, and preventive care.

Child and adult immunizations.

HIV and STI testing, treatment, education, counseling, and prevention.

Family planning, pregnancy testing, contraceptive services, and Pap exams.

Dental exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings, sealants, crowns, and simple extractions.

Nutrition education, diabetes prevention, and tobacco or asthma education.

Maternal, infant, and early childhood support.

WIC nutrition benefits and breastfeeding support.

Public benefits application assistance through HCPH Connect.

Environmental inspections, permits, and complaint investigations.

Communicable disease reporting and outbreak investigation.

Mosquito, tick, and dead-bird surveillance.

Emergency preparedness education and materials.

Animal services, pet vaccinations, microchipping, adoption, and animal control.

A program appearing in the directory does not mean that every service is available at every location or event. Some programs require appointments, referrals, qualifying documentation, or residence in a specified area. Mobile services may also be limited by staffing, supplies, state guidelines, weather, or operational conditions.

Clinical and Preventive Care

HCPH provides free or low-cost clinical and preventive health services to qualified residents. Available services can include wellness examinations, adult and child immunizations, blood pressure screening, cholesterol screening, diabetes screening and treatment, STI testing and treatment, cervical cancer screening, prostate cancer screening, clinical breast exams, mammography referrals, contraceptives, HIV testing, syphilis testing, and PrEP prescriptions.

Same-day appointments may be available for some health services. Residents should still contact the appropriate program before visiting because eligibility, clinic capacity, documentation requirements, and available procedures can differ by location.

Finding a Nearby Clinic

The county’s low-cost clinic finder helps residents search for free or low-cost clinics in Houston and Harris County. Health insurance is not required to receive services at the community clinics and health centers included in the map, although individual providers may have their own intake or eligibility requirements.

To search the map, enter an address or ZIP code and select the needed type of care. Categories include:

Health checkups.
Vaccinations.
Women’s health.
Dental care.
Mental health care.
Eye care.
Urgent or emergency care.
HIV and STI services.
Specialty care.

The address or ZIP code entered appears as a blue marker. Green circles identify clinics or health centers. Selecting a green circle displays information about that location, including available services and contact details. Residents should call the clinic or visit its official website to confirm eligibility, hours, appointment availability, and the documents needed for care.

HCPH also provides a public health facilities map for residents who are trying to identify county-operated service locations. The clinic finder and facilities map serve different purposes: the clinic finder includes community clinics and health centers, while the facilities map focuses on public health facilities.

Preparing for Health Services

Document requirements depend on the service. For mobile health events, residents are instructed to bring a photo ID and vaccination records when applicable. A resident seeking vaccines should bring any available immunization history so staff can determine which doses may be appropriate under current state guidelines.

Before an appointment or event, prepare the following information when relevant:

Full name and date of birth.
Current address and ZIP code.
Photo identification.
Vaccination records.
Current medications or known health conditions when requested by clinical staff.
Pregnancy or postpartum information for maternal health programs.
Income, household, or benefit information for programs with financial eligibility rules.
Referral information for programs that accept clients only through designated agencies.

Residents should not assume that qualification for one HCPH program automatically qualifies them for another. Dental care, WIC, refugee health services, maternal programs, mobile health care, and benefit application assistance have separate purposes and may use different screening procedures.

Mobile Health Events

HCPH operates mobile events that bring clinical, dental, and vaccination services to locations across the county. These events can include checkups, wellness exams, cancer screenings, HIV and STI testing, treatment, vaccines, Pap exams, pregnancy testing, birth control, dental exams, dental X-rays, cleanings, referrals, counseling, and follow-up care.

The mobile health event schedule identifies upcoming dates, locations, times, and service types. No appointment is required for the events described by HCPH. Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and services are free for people who qualify.

Event Limits and Changes

Not every mobile event provides every service. One location may offer dental care, while another provides vaccinations, sports physicals, cancer screenings, or general health services. Services also depend on staffing, supplies, eligibility, state requirements, and the equipment available at the site.

Residents should review the event title and service description rather than assuming that “mobile health” means full clinical care. Event times and locations can change because of weather or operational needs. Mobile sites are also closed daily from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.

Arriving early can be useful because walk-in services are first come, first served. Bringing a photo ID and any relevant vaccine records can reduce delays. Residents should not rely on an old printed calendar or social media post without confirming that the event remains scheduled.

Dental Health Services

HCPH offers free or low-cost dental care for children and adults who qualify. Services may include dental examinations, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatment, sealants, oral hygiene counseling, nutrition counseling, fillings, pulpotomies, stainless steel crowns, and simple extractions.

Dental services are provided through designated locations and mobile events. A general health event does not necessarily include dental treatment, and a dental event may provide only the procedures identified for that date. Residents should verify the type of dental service offered before visiting, especially when seeking restorative treatment rather than an examination or cleaning.

Maternal and Child Programs

Maternal and child health programs support residents during pregnancy, after delivery, following pregnancy loss, and through early childhood. Eligibility described by HCPH includes Harris County community members who are currently pregnant, delivered a baby during the previous 12 months, or experienced pregnancy loss during the previous 12 months.

Services can include free in-home support, personal and emotional assistance, referrals, education, and help connecting families to needed services. The Healthy Start program also provides prenatal and well-child visit linkages, mental health access and education, workshops for expectant parents and caregivers, and support involving food insecurity, housing, transportation instability, domestic violence, and other basic needs.

Women, Infants and Children

The Women, Infants and Children program provides nutrition education, healthy foods, breastfeeding promotion, and breastfeeding support. Eligibility includes meeting applicable income guidelines and belonging to a qualifying group, such as being pregnant, having given birth during the previous six months, breastfeeding, or caring for an infant or child age five or younger.

HCPH operates WIC services at multiple clinics across Harris County. Applicants should contact the program to review eligibility and schedule an appointment rather than arriving without confirming which clinic should handle their application.

Benefits and Coordinated Care

HCPH Connect assists community members with applications for public benefit programs. These can include SNAP, Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program, CHIP, TANF, Healthy Texas Women, WIC, and the Harris Health System Financial Assistance Program.

The program can also connect residents to other services based on their needs. Callers are instructed to leave a detailed voicemail containing their name, phone number, and the type of assistance requested. Staff may take three to five business days to return the call.

ACCESS Harris County is a separate coordinated-care model for vulnerable residents who need several services across the county safety-net system. ACCESS teams may help individuals or families with health and behavioral health needs, financial concerns, workforce assistance, food assistance, education, housing, and other community services. Residents should not confuse general benefits application assistance through HCPH Connect with the intensive wraparound model offered through ACCESS.

Communicable Disease Reporting

The Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Emerging Diseases monitors illnesses, analyzes disease activity, investigates outbreaks, and provides guidance to health care providers and community partners. HCPH investigates notifiable conditions, emerging or re-emerging diseases, and other illnesses that may present a public health concern.

Texas law requires health care providers, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and certain other parties to report suspected notifiable conditions. Reports should be made when a condition is suspected rather than delayed until every test result is complete.

The official disease and public health issue reporting page provides the morbidity report form and instructions for immediate notifications. A completed morbidity report form may be faxed confidentially to 713-439-6306. Conditions requiring immediate notification should be reported to the Epidemiology Program through the main switchboard during normal business hours. After normal business hours, immediate notifications should be made by calling 832-927-7575.

The reporting office may contact the submitting provider or organization for additional information. Each reported case is investigated and forwarded to the Texas Department of State Health Services Infectious Disease Control Unit as required.

Members of the public should not use professional disease-reporting procedures as a replacement for medical care. Medical emergencies require 911. Public health reporting investigates community-level risks and does not provide individualized diagnosis or treatment advice.

Environmental Health Concerns

The Environmental Public Health Division works to reduce risks involving food establishments, public swimming pools, drinking water, lead exposure, neighborhood nuisances, and other environmental hazards. Its responsibilities include permitting and inspecting regulated facilities, responding to complaints, and identifying conditions that could threaten public health.

Food and Pool Complaints

Residents can report concerns involving food establishments, suspected food poisoning, neighborhood nuisances, swimming pools, and public drinking water through the appropriate environmental reporting option. Selecting the correct complaint category helps route the issue to the responsible program.

A report about illness after eating should be submitted through the food poisoning process rather than only as a general food establishment complaint. A complaint concerning sanitation, facility operations, or another observable condition may belong under the public food or operations concern process.

Drinking Water Safety

Harris County has approximately 1,200 public drinking water systems. A public water system is defined as a system that serves at least 25 people per day for at least 60 days of the year or has at least 15 connections.

The Public Drinking Water Safety Program conducts inspections to assess compliance with applicable standards and identify conditions that can affect water quality. The program’s goal is to prevent diseases associated with drinking water. Residents should use the drinking water complaint option for public water concerns rather than submitting the issue as a general neighborhood nuisance.

Mosquito and Vector Services

The Mosquito and Vector Control Division conducts mosquito surveillance, trapping, collection, identification, pathogen testing, complaint investigations, pesticide-resistance evaluation, and control activities. The division also accepts certain vectors from community members and provides education about diseases carried by mosquitoes and ticks.

Dead Bird Reports

Dead birds can contribute to West Nile virus surveillance. A bird may qualify for collection or testing when it has been dead for less than one day, has no signs of trauma, and has no ants or maggots. Residents can contact the dead-bird hotline at 713-440-3036 or submit the official form.

When a bird cannot be reported or collected immediately, HCPH instructs residents to wear gloves, double-bag the bird, and place it in a refrigerator or ice chest that is not used for food. When refrigeration is not possible, the double-bagged bird may be covered with ice until pickup. Birds that do not require testing should be double-bagged while wearing gloves and placed in the trash.

Individual test results are not provided to people who submit dead birds. The submissions support community surveillance, and information about birds that test positive is made available through the department.

Tick Submission Rules

The division accepts ticks found within Harris County that were not attached to a human. Ticks attached to dogs may be submitted. A tick that was attached to a person requires separate guidance from the division and should not be submitted through the standard process.

Residents completing a tick submission should provide a clear, well-lit photograph and complete the online submission form. Ticks may be alive or dead but must be placed in a secure container. Mail submissions require the tick to be securely contained, double-bagged, and packaged with a copy of the completed submission form.

The service identifies the tick’s species, life stage, and sex and tests for pathogens in the Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Rickettsia genera. There is no charge for testing. Results are generally communicated through the submitter’s preferred contact method within two to three weeks after receipt. Anyone who develops symptoms following a suspected tick bite should contact a medical provider without waiting for surveillance results.

Emergency Preparedness Information

The Public Health Preparedness and Response Division develops plans and educational materials that help Harris County communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies and disasters.

The department’s emergency preparedness materials address boil-water notices, cold weather, extreme heat, floodwater, food safety, generator safety, mold prevention, sewage cleanup, mosquito exposure, tetanus, drinking water, pet preparedness, disaster kits, medical needs, and coping after a disaster.

Many materials are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic. Selected subjects are offered in additional languages. Residents should choose instructions that match the specific hazard rather than relying on general disaster information for issues such as flooded wells, sewage exposure, generator use, or extreme heat.

Public Health Data

HCPH and the Houston Health Department maintain a joint collection of public health reports and interactive dashboards. The reports and dashboards portal covers infectious diseases, emerging threats, injury and violence prevention, maternal and child health, environmental health, climate impacts, community health assessments, chronic disease, behavioral health, and strategic planning.

Dashboards use charts, graphs, tables, and data from multiple sources to present local health trends. Reports may include information from HCPH, the Houston Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Available subjects include tuberculosis, HIV and STIs, foodborne illness, mosquito-borne disease, measles, respiratory illness, wastewater surveillance, maternal and infant health, chronic disease, cancer, substance use, extreme heat, air pollution, and leading causes of death. These resources are intended for community health analysis and should not be treated as an individual medical record or personal diagnosis.

Community Event Requests

Organizations hosting community events may request HCPH education, outreach, pet health, immunization, clinical, dental, environmental health, preparedness, violence prevention, or coordinated-care participation. Requested services are free for those who qualify, subject to availability, and not guaranteed.

Organizations are instructed to submit requests at least 30 days before the event for planning and consideration. The submission system also requires a future event date and does not accept dates that are today or in the past. A request should not be treated as approved until the organization receives a confirmation email from HCPH.

Information Required From Hosts

The community event form requests detailed information about the organization, event, audience, venue, services, and logistical accommodations. Hosts should be prepared to provide:

Organization name without acronyms.
Organization type and focus area.
Primary and secondary contact information.
Event name, purpose, date, and hours.
Setup time and venue address.
Expected number of attendees.
Target audience and attendee languages.
Advertising and community promotion plans.
Other organizations providing services.
Requested public health programs.
Parking instructions and available amenities.
Indoor backup space for bad weather.
Space available for a mobile unit when required.

Some services require private indoor rooms or restroom access. Mobile units may require a paved, level outdoor area approximately the size of ten standard parking spaces. Immunization services require the team to arrive one hour before the event for setup. A Memorandum of Understanding must be completed before immunization services are provided.

Hosts should report changes involving the date, time, location, power, services, or event status as soon as possible. A submitted form alone does not confirm staff attendance, equipment deployment, or the availability of a requested service.

Public Health Divisions

The HCPH divisions directory helps residents determine which part of the department handles a particular concern.

Community Health and Wellness

This division provides community-based preventive health services to qualified residents through affordable and convenient care. Its work includes many of the clinical, vaccination, dental, family planning, HIV and STI, and related health services offered through clinics and mobile events.

Environmental Public Health

This division protects residents by addressing environmental conditions involving food safety, water, pools, lead hazards, regulated facilities, and neighborhood health concerns.

Health Prevention and Coordinated Care

This division connects residents to prevention services, public benefits, social services, and coordinated support. It includes programs such as ACCESS Harris County, HCPH Connect, and chronic disease prevention.

Mosquito and Vector Control

This division works to prevent and control mosquito-borne and other vector-borne diseases through surveillance, testing, investigations, education, and control activities.

Preparedness and Response

This division prepares the department and community to respond to public health emergencies and recover after disasters. It provides planning support, public education, and multilingual safety materials.

Veterinary Public Health

This division works with residents and animals in unincorporated Harris County. Harris County Pets provides animal intake, adoption, fostering, microchipping, vaccinations, licensing, spay or neuter services, animal control, and public education.

Avoiding Service Delays

Many problems occur when residents rely on an outdated schedule, visit the wrong location, or assume that all public health offices provide the same services. Confirm the specific program, service location, eligibility standards, and operating status before traveling.

Common mistakes include:

Visiting a general HCPH office for care that is provided only at clinics or mobile events.

Assuming every mobile event offers dental, vaccination, and clinical services.

Arriving without photo identification or available vaccination records.

Using the facilities map when searching for community clinics included in the separate clinic finder.

Submitting a general complaint instead of the designated food, water, pool, nuisance, mosquito, or disease report.

Waiting for final laboratory confirmation before reporting a suspected notifiable condition.

Submitting a standard tick request for a tick that was attached to a person.

Assuming that a community event request has been approved before receiving confirmation.

Requesting mobile event services without enough advance planning time.

Using public health dashboards as a substitute for personal medical evaluation.

Public Health Offices

Harris County Public Health
1111 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77002
713-439-6000

Harris County Public Health Mosquito and Vector Control Division
3330 Old Spanish Trail, Building D
Houston, TX 77021
713-440-4800

Public Health FAQs

How do I sign up for public health alerts?

Residents can use the alert enrollment form on the official Harris County Public Health contact page. Subscribers may receive text messages or automated calls about vaccination and wellness events, nearby community programs, clinic schedule changes, and urgent public health guidance. Message frequency varies, and standard carrier charges may apply. Consent is required before enrollment. Residents can stop text notifications by replying “STOP” or request assistance by replying “HELP.” Enrollment information is not sold or rented for promotional marketing.

Can I request department records?

Harris County Public Health records may be requested under the Texas Public Information Act, which provides access to information maintained by state and local government agencies. Use the Public Information Act request option provided through the department’s official website rather than sending a general service question. A focused request is easier to process, so identify the program, record type, subject, and relevant date range. Avoid requesting broad categories such as “all department records” when only a particular inspection, report, policy, or correspondence is needed.

May organizations use the department logo?

Organizations should not place the Harris County Public Health logo on an event flyer without authorization. The official community event request form allows hosts to indicate that they want to use the logo. The final flyer must then be reviewed and approved by the department. Logo approval is separate from event participation approval, so submitting a flyer does not confirm that staff, services, or a mobile unit will attend. Hosts should also avoid advertising requested services as confirmed until they receive written confirmation from Harris County Public Health.