The Washington State Secretary of Health is the chief public health officer for the state who leads and oversees implementation of statewide public-health programs through the Washington State Department of Health. The office advises the governor and legislature, directs communicable disease control and emergency preparedness, manages licensing and regulation of health professions and facilities, and advances health promotion, prevention, and health-equity initiatives to protect and improve population health across Washington.
Public health and disease prevention, infectious disease control and immunization policy, emergency preparedness and pandemic response, maternal and child health, environmental and occupational health regulation, substance-use disorder and overdose prevention, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, health workforce licensing and regulation, health equity and community outreach, public-health data, surveillance and reporting, school and workplace health rules.
Primarily funded by state general fund appropriations supplemented by federal grants (e.g., CDC, HRSA), program and licensing fees, Medicaid/Medicare-related reimbursements where applicable, and limited philanthropic or private grants.
Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Board of Health, Governor's Office, Washington State Legislature health committees, county and local health jurisdictions (e.g., Public Health—Seattle & King County), tribal health authorities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington State Hospital Association and major health systems and provider groups
State government office (executive branch); public agency
