Public Health Agencies & Activities

Designated personnel may disclose patient health information to a public health agency, individual or entity that is legally authorized to receive such reports for the purpose of preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability. This includes the reporting of disease or injury; reporting vital events (e.g., births or deaths); conducting public health surveillance, investigations, or interventions; reporting child abuse and neglect; and monitoring adverse outcomes related to food (including dietary supplements), drugs, biological products, and medical devices. To protect the health of the public, public health authorities might need to obtain information related to the individuals affected by a disease. In certain cases, they might need to contact those affected to determine the cause of the disease to allow for actions to prevent further illness. Designated personnel must be prepared to verify the status and identity of the public health authority that is requesting protected health information. To verify its identity, an agency could provide any one of the following:

• If the request is made in person, presentation of an agency identification badge, other official credentials, or other proof of government status;
• If the request is in writing, the request is on the appropriate government letterhead;
• If the disclosure is to a person acting on behalf of a public health authority, a written statement on appropriate government letterhead that the person is acting under the government's authority.

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