Title commonly used for the senior government official of a health department or agency
A medical officer of health, also known as a medical health officer, chief health officer, chief public health officer or district medical officer, is the title commonly used for the senior government official of a
The equivalent senior health official at the national level is often referred to as the
chief medical officer (CMO), although the title varies across countries, for example known as the surgeon general in the United States and the chief public health officer
In British Columbia, the provincial health officer is the senior health official for the provincial government.[4]
The roles of the medical officer of health varies across jurisdictions, but always include responsibilities related to public health and safety, and may include the following functions:[5]
responsibility for
communicable disease
control;
assessing environmental threats to human health;
providing leadership in public health emergency situations;
In India, a medical officer generally has a minimum of MBBS degree or MD degree from a recognised medical college and university and his/her name is registered in National Medical Council and in a state medical council. They are posted mainly at primary health centre and community health centres.[citation needed]
Metropolitan Association of Medical Officers of Health. They were important and influential in the establishment of municipal hospitals under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1929.[7] In the 1974 NHS reorganisation they were replaced by Community Physicians who were attached to the different levels of the NHS.[citation needed
Health officer is a common term used in the United States for public health officials, such as medical health officers and environmental health officers. They may serve at the global, federal, state, county, or municipal level.[citation needed]
The end of the 20th century and beginning of the 21st saw major issues for health officials and health officers include
