Duval County Health Department also known as the Duval County Public Health Unit was created in October 1938 and is the 16th unit in the state that became part of the state-county system. Approximately 800,000 residents are served by The Duval County Health Department (DCHD) and the other 66 county health departments are part of the State of Florida’s Department of Health. From its early 1990’s size of 300 employees and a $13 million budget, to its current size of nearly 800 employees with a $45 million budget, DCHD has had phenomenal growth.

The Duval County Public Health Unit has established many partnerships include the relationship with the University of Florida and Shands Jacksonville, University of North Florida College of Health, Jacksonville Children’s Commission, Healthy Families Jacksonville, Environmental Protection Agency, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and others. Duval County Health Department has involved the citizens of Jacksonville in various capacities, such as focus groups and advisory councils. Health Services include Adult Health, Pediatrics & Women's Health, Dental, Specialty Clinics Adolescents, Communicable Disease, Women, Maternity & Family Planning, and Immunizations.