Public Health

Los Angeles County CA Public Health connects residents with disease prevention services, community clinics, environmental health protections, emergency guidance, official records, substance use treatment, and family health programs. This guide explains how to identify the right county program, locate appropriate services, prepare before visiting a clinic, report health and safety concerns, and follow reliable public health information without wasting time moving between unrelated offices.

Start with the Right Los Angeles County Public Health Service

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health serves a population of about 10 million people. Its work goes beyond responding to contagious diseases. The department also helps protect food and water, monitors community health threats, operates public health centers, supports maternal and child health, coordinates emergency preparedness, oversees health-related inspections, and connects residents with prevention and treatment programs.

The official Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website is the main starting point for countywide health information. Residents can use it to review current health topics, find community services, locate clinics, check safety advisories, and access programs related to vaccines, sexual health, tuberculosis, substance use, lead exposure, emergency readiness, and environmental health.

Choose a service based on the problem you need to solve

Public health services are organized by subject. Selecting the correct category can help you reach the appropriate office more quickly.

Illness prevention: Use disease-control and vaccination programs for information about measles, flu, respiratory viruses, tuberculosis, hepatitis, mpox, mosquito-borne diseases, and other communicable conditions.

Clinic services: Use the Public Health Center system for sexual health testing, immunizations, tuberculosis screening, nurse services, and other available clinical programs.

Environmental complaints: Contact Environmental Health for concerns involving restaurants, food markets, sewage, rodents, trash, unsafe rental housing, mold, swimming pools, or unpermitted food vendors.

Official records: Use the Vital Records Office for qualifying recent birth and death certificates.

Substance use support: Use Substance Abuse Prevention and Control programs for screening, treatment referrals, recovery services, overdose prevention, and harm-reduction information.

Family services: Use maternal, child, and adolescent health programs for pregnancy support, home visiting, infant health, developmental services, and youth programs.

Emergency information: Follow the Emergency Preparedness and Response Division for guidance concerning earthquakes, fires, heat, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies.

Find Public Health Clinics and Prepare for Your Visit

Los Angeles County operates public health centers in several communities. Services differ by location, and schedules may change, so residents should verify the clinic, service type, registration hours, and appointment process before traveling.

The county’s Public Health Centers information page provides access to nearby clinic locations and available services. Depending on the center, services may include immunizations, tuberculosis screening, nurse clinic care, sexual health testing, HIV prevention medication, mpox services, naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and COVID-19 test kits.

Check these details before going to a health center

Confirm that the location provides the exact service you need.

Review the current registration schedule rather than assuming the clinic follows standard business hours.

Ask whether an appointment is required, preferred, or unavailable for that service.

Arrive early when seeking a limited walk-in appointment.

Bring insurance information when requested, even when the service is free or low cost.

Ask whether a vaccination or specialized procedure carries a fee.

Check the county holiday schedule before visiting.

Some public health services are open to residents regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Requirements can still vary by program, so eligibility questions should be directed to the program responsible for the service.

Use Sexual Health Clinics for Testing, Treatment, and Prevention

County sexual health clinics provide confidential testing, treatment, prevention medication, family planning, and related services. Patients may be able to receive testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, herpes, and other conditions. Clinical examinations can also help identify signs of pelvic inflammatory disease or genital warts.

The official Los Angeles County sexual health clinic directory explains clinic types, services, appointment procedures, locations, and registration schedules. County schedules distinguish between full-service clinics and screening-focused clinics.

Match your needs to the appropriate clinic type

Full-service sexual health clinics

A full-service clinic is generally the better choice when a person has symptoms, believes an exposure occurred, or may need an examination and treatment during the same visit. Available services can include testing, physical evaluation, medication, HIV prevention, mpox care, family planning, and emergency contraception.

Sexual health screening clinics

A screening-focused clinic may be suitable for a person without symptoms who wants routine testing. Certain locations provide screening services only and may not be able to complete a full evaluation or treat a suspected exposure. Residents should review the location description carefully before making an appointment.

Understand prevention and treatment options

PrEP: Pre-exposure prophylaxis can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. Available forms may include pills or a scheduled injection.

PEP: Post-exposure prophylaxis is used after a possible HIV exposure and must be started promptly, generally within 72 hours.

DoxyPEP: This preventive approach may reduce the risk of certain bacterial sexually transmitted infections for eligible patients.

Mpox services: Testing, treatment, and vaccination may be available through participating clinics.

Family planning: Services may include birth control methods and emergency contraception.

Naloxone: Clinics may distribute naloxone spray, which can reverse an opioid overdose when administered quickly.

Fentanyl test strips: These strips may help identify fentanyl in a substance and reduce overdose risk.

County sexual health services are described as free or low cost. Patients with insurance may be asked to provide their coverage information so the clinic can bill the plan. The county states that patients are not charged a copayment or coinsurance for covered clinic services, although a fee may apply to certain immunizations.

California law allows people age 12 or older to receive certain sexual health testing and treatment without parental notification. Patients should ask clinic staff about confidentiality, records, consent, and portal access when making an appointment.

Protect Your Household with County Vaccination Guidance

Vaccines are a central part of Los Angeles County disease prevention. The Department of Public Health provides information for residents, parents, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Topics include routine childhood vaccination, seasonal flu, COVID-19, measles, hepatitis, HPV, mpox, meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, shingles, tetanus, whooping cough, and other vaccine-preventable illnesses.

The Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program publishes county guidance, vaccine information by disease, provider materials, and tools for finding vaccination services. Los Angeles County follows California public health vaccination guidance, and residents should use county and state information when questions arise about recommended schedules or local availability.

Act quickly when a vaccine-preventable disease is reported

When Public Health announces a measles exposure, flu surge, mpox concern, or another vaccine-preventable threat, review the notice carefully. Exposure notices may identify a location, date, time range, symptoms to watch for, and actions recommended for people who were present.

Residents should verify their vaccination records, contact a healthcare provider when appropriate, and follow instructions about testing, isolation, or monitoring. People at higher risk of serious illness, including pregnant individuals, infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, may need more specific medical advice.

Report Restaurant, Housing, Sewage, and Environmental Health Problems

Environmental Health protects residents through inspections, permits, complaint investigations, enforcement, and public education. Its responsibilities include food facilities, mobile food operations, swimming pools, rental housing conditions, wastewater, solid waste, body art facilities, lead hazards, and other environmental concerns.

The department’s Public Health contact and reporting page directs residents to the correct reporting process for common health complaints.

File a complaint when a condition threatens health or safety

Environmental Health may handle complaints involving:

Unsanitary conditions at a restaurant or food market
Food vendors operating without required permits
Rodent activity at a property
Sewage or wastewater discharges
A property without a functioning water supply
Accumulated garbage, debris, or solid waste
Rental housing that is not properly maintained
Mold in a rental housing unit
Swimming pools that are dirty, unsafe, or not maintained
Mosquito breeding conditions
Lead exposure hazards, including deteriorated lead-based paint
Unsafe body art or permanent makeup operations

Document the condition clearly

Before submitting a complaint, collect specific information that can help an inspector understand the problem. Useful details may include the complete property or business address, the date and time the condition was observed, where it is located on the property, how long it has continued, and whether the problem is recurring.

Photographs, receipts, food labels, product packaging, or written communication with a landlord may be useful when the reporting system permits supporting documentation. Avoid entering areas where access is restricted or unsafe simply to obtain evidence.

Report suspected foodborne illness promptly

People who become sick after eating at a restaurant, market, food truck, event, or other food facility can submit a food illness report. A useful report identifies the food consumed, the business or event, the date and time of the meal, when symptoms began, the symptoms experienced, and whether other people became ill.

A report does not automatically establish that a particular business caused the illness. Public Health may compare reports, interview affected people, review food handling practices, conduct inspections, or collect samples when an investigation is warranted.

Follow Beach, Heat, Wildfire, and Disease Advisories

Public Health issues advisories when environmental or disease conditions may affect residents. Common notices include ocean water warnings, beach closures, extreme heat alerts, respiratory virus updates, wildfire recovery guidance, food recalls, measles information, and emerging disease reports.

Read the scope of an advisory before changing your plans

A warning may apply only to a specific beach, neighborhood, time period, population, or type of activity. For example, an ocean water warning may advise against swimming, surfing, and playing in the water near a particular location because testing found elevated bacteria. It does not necessarily apply to every beach in the county.

Extreme heat guidance may include instructions to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity, recognize symptoms of heat illness, check on vulnerable family members, and use cooling locations when needed. Wildfire guidance may address smoke exposure, ash cleanup, returning to damaged properties, food safety after a power outage, and precautions for people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

Use health alerts as time-sensitive instructions

Public health conditions can change quickly. Always check the date of a news release or advisory and look for a newer update before relying on it. A warning may be expanded, narrowed, replaced, or lifted after new testing or weather information becomes available.

Prepare for Earthquakes, Fires, and Public Health Emergencies

Public health emergency planning focuses on the health effects of natural disasters, intentional emergencies, disease outbreaks, hazardous exposures, and disruptions to essential services. Preparation can reduce confusion when transportation, power, communication, medical care, or access to medication is interrupted.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Division provides county guidance for earthquakes, fires, extreme weather, medication planning, people with disabilities, older adults, pets, and emotional stress during emergencies.

Build a practical household health plan

Keep an updated list of medications, dosages, allergies, healthcare providers, and emergency contacts.

Maintain an emergency supply of essential medication when permitted by the prescribing provider and health plan.

Store copies of important health and identification documents in a protected location.

Plan how refrigerated medicine will be protected during a power outage.

Include masks, basic first-aid supplies, hygiene products, water, and shelf-stable food in an emergency kit.

Prepare for the needs of infants, older adults, people with disabilities, and household pets.

Choose an out-of-area contact who can help family members reconnect when local networks are overloaded.

Coordinate with neighbors who may need assistance during evacuation or prolonged power loss.

Know when public health instructions differ from general emergency advice

Emergency agencies may focus on evacuation, shelter, roads, fires, or law enforcement. Public Health may issue separate instructions about smoke, contaminated water, food safety, disease exposure, medication, sanitation, shelters, or returning to a damaged home. Residents should follow the instructions issued for the specific hazard rather than relying on general disaster advice.

Request Recent Birth and Death Certificates

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Vital Records Office maintains certain recent birth and death records. According to the department, its office handles records for events occurring in Los Angeles County, excluding Pasadena and Long Beach, during the current or previous year.

The Department of Public Health Vital Records Office explains certificate availability and ordering methods. Certificates are generally available after the original record has been registered, and requests may be accepted in person, by mail, or online.

Confirm that Public Health holds the record before ordering

The Public Health Vital Records Office does not maintain every Los Angeles County birth or death record. Older records and records outside the office’s stated coverage period may be handled by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. Events occurring in Pasadena or Long Beach may also be maintained by those cities rather than the county Public Health office.

Before submitting payment or mailing documents, verify:

The city where the birth or death occurred
The year of the event
Whether the record has had enough time to be registered
Which agency currently maintains the certificate
Whether an authorized or informational copy is needed
Which identification or sworn statement requirements apply

Connect with Substance Use Treatment and Overdose Prevention

Los Angeles County’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Control system provides entry points for people seeking alcohol or drug treatment. Services include screening, referral, treatment navigation, recovery support, and harm reduction.

The county’s substance use treatment entryways explain how residents can enter the specialty treatment system through a helpline, a Client Engagement and Navigation Services site, or direct contact with a participating treatment provider.

Use the “no wrong door” approach to begin treatment

A resident does not need to understand every treatment level before asking for help. Screening professionals can review the person’s needs and connect the individual with an appropriate provider. The assessment may consider substance use history, withdrawal risk, physical and behavioral health needs, living conditions, pregnancy, age, and the level of support needed to remain in treatment.

No-cost treatment may be available to qualifying Los Angeles County residents who meet medical necessity requirements and are enrolled in or eligible for Medi-Cal. Certain participants in county or court-related programs may also qualify. A share of cost may apply in some circumstances.

Respond to overdose risk before a crisis occurs

Families and individuals affected by opioid use should learn how to recognize an overdose and administer naloxone. Warning signs may include unresponsiveness, slow or stopped breathing, blue or gray lips, choking sounds, or an inability to wake the person.

Call emergency services immediately when an overdose is suspected. Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, but its effects may wear off before the opioid leaves the body. Medical evaluation remains necessary even when the person begins breathing or regains consciousness.

Find Pregnancy, Infant, Child, and Adolescent Health Programs

The Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division supports pregnant and postpartum people, infants, children, adolescents, fathers, caregivers, and families. Programs focus on healthy pregnancies, infant outcomes, child development, adolescent wellbeing, home visiting, lead prevention, safe sleep, and connections to care.

The Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division describes available programs and referral options for families and healthcare providers.

Explore support during pregnancy and after birth

County programs may provide prenatal education, postpartum support, home visits, breastfeeding or chestfeeding guidance, fatherhood support, doula services, and connections to Medi-Cal prenatal providers. Some programs have specific eligibility requirements based on pregnancy stage, age, residence, or other program criteria.

Address child development and environmental risks early

Child health programs can help families connect with developmental services, preventive screening, lead poisoning prevention, asthma initiatives, healthcare coverage assistance, and support for children with specialized medical needs.

Parents and caregivers should raise developmental concerns promptly rather than waiting for a child to start school. Early concerns may involve speech, movement, behavior, hearing, vision, social interaction, feeding, or learning. Public health and healthcare programs can help identify an appropriate assessment or referral pathway.

Support adolescent health with youth-focused services

Adolescent programs address physical health, mental wellbeing, healthy relationships, prevention education, and youth involvement in public health planning. County initiatives may also invite young people to provide feedback about services designed for their age group.

Navigate County Programs Without Searching Department by Department

Public Health includes many specialized offices, including communicable disease control, environmental health, health facilities, public health nursing, HIV and STD programs, maternal and child health, substance use services, injury prevention, emergency response, veterinary public health, tobacco control, tuberculosis control, and vaccine-preventable disease control.

The official Department of Public Health Program Directory can help residents, businesses, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community organizations identify the office responsible for a particular subject.

Use specific terms when searching for a program

Search by the problem or service rather than entering a broad word such as “health.” More precise terms may include:

Restaurant inspection results
Rental housing complaint
Birth certificate current year
Measles exposure notice
Tuberculosis screening
Sexual health testing
Substance use treatment referral
Lead paint hazard
Animal bite report
Beach water advisory
Public health permit
Healthcare provider disease reporting

When contacting a program, describe the issue clearly, provide the location where it occurred, and explain whether the matter involves an immediate danger, an ongoing condition, an appointment request, a permit, a record, or a general information question.

Los Angeles County Public Health Departments and Offices

Environmental Health
5050 Commerce Drive, Baldwin Park, CA 91706
(888) 700-9995

Emergency Preparedness and Response Division
600 S. Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 637-3600

Antelope Valley Health Center
335-B East Avenue K6, Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 471-4861

Curtis Tucker Health Center
123 W. Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 419-5325

Hollywood-Wilshire Health Center
5205 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 769-7800

Pomona Health Center
750 S. Park Avenue, Pomona, CA 91766
(909) 868-0235

Ruth Temple Health Center
3834 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90062
(323) 730-3507

Los Angeles County Public Health FAQs

How can I confirm that a Public Health Center is still operating?

Check the county’s current Public Health Centers information before choosing a location. Several former clinic sites were listed as no longer active as of March 2026, so an older address found in a search result, saved document, or directory may be outdated. The county page identifies nearby active locations and explains which centers provide nurse walk-in care, tuberculosis services, sexual health services, immunizations, and other clinic programs. Review the service description carefully because not every location offers every type of care.

Does Los Angeles County Public Health operate clinics in Long Beach and Pasadena?

Long Beach and Pasadena maintain their own municipal health departments and are not served through the county’s regular Public Health Center system in the same way as other communities. Residents seeking clinic services in either city should use the official city health department responsible for that jurisdiction. This distinction may affect where residents obtain vaccinations, sexual health services, local health guidance, and certain public health records.

Where should healthcare providers review disease-reporting requirements?

Medical professionals can use the county’s Health Professionals portal to review mandatory reporting information, communicable disease resources, specialist consultation options, and Los Angeles Health Alert Network notices. California law requires healthcare providers to report numerous diseases and conditions to the local health department. Providers should use the reporting instructions and forms associated with the specific condition rather than relying on general patient referral procedures.

How can residents check a restaurant or swimming pool inspection record?

Use the official Environmental Health inspection portal to search available records. Restaurant searches may be performed using a business name or address, while swimming pool records may be searched by facility name or location. Individual records can show inspection dates, inspection types, findings, scores, grades, closures, or reopenings when available. Search results should be reviewed carefully because businesses with similar names may operate at different addresses, and a facility may have multiple inspection entries over time.