Welcome to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).

With an annual budget of $1.6 billion and more than 6,000 employees throughout the five boroughs, we're one of the largest public health agencies in the world, serving 8 million New Yorkers from diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. With over 200 years of leadership in the field, we're also one of our nation's oldest public health agencies.

Our work is broad ranging. You see us in the inspection grades of most every dining establishment, the licenses that dogs both great and small wear in open park spaces, the low to no-cost health clinics in your neighborhoods, and the birth certificates received for newborns.

We're also behind the scenes with our disease detectives, investigating suspicious clusters of illnesses. Our epidemiologists study the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in New York City neighborhoods, shaping its public health policy decisions and preventive healthcare agenda

The challenges we face are many. They range from obesity, diabetes and heart disease to HIV/AIDS, tobacco addiction and substance abuse, and the threat of bioterrorism. Racial and ethnic health disparities - most notably in underserved communities with limited to no resources - have proven poorer health outcomes. Health inequality is a priority for this agency, and we are making every effort to close the gap.

The New York City Health Department is tackling these issues with innovative policies and programs, and getting exceptional results.