The Public Health Division is committed to continually increasing the effectiveness of health care and public health systems in helping people to become and stay healthy. We have worked in Maine and other states for more than 30 years through grants, contracts, and collaborative efforts. View the Public Health reporting structure.
MCD's Public Health Division is unique because it functions in so many of the key areas of public health. We:
- develop and advocate for policy at the local, state, and national levels;
- design and provide technical assistance and training in public health as well as clinical health care settings;
- interpret and adapt research and best practice information for implementation in organizations and in communities, including clinical and public health quality improvement initiatives;
- develop, implement, and evaluate programs to screen for, prevent, treat, and remediate disease;
- integrate initiatives across content areas (such as diabetes and oral health, mental health and education, substance abuse prevention and school based health care)
- design, implement, and train others in health communication, social marketing; media advocacy, community organizing, and health policy advocacy;
- conduct public health research (e.g. epidemiology, return-on-investment; evaluation) to inform the field but also to provide a basis for new program development, to inform policy and policy makers, and foster dissemination.
Building on the past, expanding, and improving: Originally established in 1966 as a Regional Medical Program for the purpose of improving care for heart, cancer, and stroke, MCD has worked to improve health and well-being for more than 40 years. We have repeatedly spearheaded projects that have lastingly improved health and health care.
