Public Health Department

The Maricopa County Public Health Department is the backbone of local health protection for residents, visitors, and businesses across the county. This article walks you through what the department does, how its services work in real life, and where you can go—online or in person—when you need help with things like vaccines, birth and death certificates, virus season, family support programs, and more. By the end, you’ll know exactly which programs to use, which forms to look for, and which locations to visit for your situation.

See How the Maricopa County Public Health Department Keeps the Community Safe

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health has a clear mission: to increase the quality of life for residents by working with the community to address the emerging and changing needs of public health. That covers everything from preventing disease, to responding to outbreaks, to supporting families with nutrition and early childhood programs.

On the main Public Health department page, you can explore programs for residents, disease information, health data, trainings for professionals, and partner projects all in one place. To browse these services in detail, visit the
Maricopa County Public Health department page.

Mission, vision, and what that means for you

The department’s mission and vision are laid out in more depth on its “About” section. Public Health works to:

Protect residents from health threats like food-borne illness, natural and man-made disasters, toxic exposures, and preventable injuries

Prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes by tackling risk factors like poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and tobacco use

Use data and community input to build programs that match real local needs

If you want to understand the philosophy and long-term goals behind these services, the
About Public Health overview explains the mission, vision, and how different divisions fit together.

Because Maricopa County is large, some services that might fall under “public health” in smaller jurisdictions are split into separate departments, such as Environmental Services (food and pool inspections, vector control) and Air Quality (particulate and ozone pollution). Public Health coordinates closely with those departments even though they are separate.

Use Public Health Services for Everyday Needs

When most people think “public health,” they think about vaccines and outbreak alerts. In Maricopa County, the Public Health Department also helps residents with essential paperwork, family nutrition, and routine clinical care.

Below are some of the most commonly used services and how to use them.

Get birth and death certificates through Vital Records

The Office of Vital Registration provides official (certified) copies of birth and death certificates for events that took place in Arizona. It also handles corrections and special situations such as home births or family burials.

On the Vital Records page, you can:

Order certified copies of birth or death certificates

Correct or amend a record issued in Arizona

Register a home birth or family burial

Learn about services for indigent decedents and White Tanks Cemetery

Review a list of office locations and hours, including Phoenix, East Valley, Northwest Valley, Glendale, and Goodyear

If your situation involves proof of identity, benefits, school enrollment, passports, or settling an estate, you will likely need a certificate through Vital Records. Start by visiting the
Vital Records information page to see ordering options, locations, and closure notices.

Track diseases the county monitors and understand local risks

The department maintains surveillance on a wide range of diseases and health conditions. This includes infectious diseases such as measles, flu, COVID-19, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, and foodborne illnesses.

The Diseases We Track section explains:

Which diseases are monitored in Maricopa County
How cases are reported and investigated
Where providers should send disease reports
Educational materials for residents and healthcare partners

If you’re a resident who wants to understand current health threats or a provider who needs reporting guidance, the
disease surveillance and reporting page is the central hub for disease-related information.

Navigate Fall and Winter Virus Season With Confidence

Respiratory viruses often surge in the colder months. The Public Health Department offers clear guidance to help you prepare your family and reduce risk during fall and winter virus season.

On the Fall and Winter Virus Season page, you’ll find:

Information about flu, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
Who should consider vaccination for each virus
How to prevent infection through everyday actions
What to do if you get sick, including when to seek medical care
Links to data and reports that show how viruses are spreading locally

The page describes common symptoms—such as fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, and shortness of breath—and explains how to return to normal activities safely after illness. It also outlines when to consider urgent care or emergency care.

For detailed, up-to-date seasonal guidance, including local respiratory virus data, visit the
Fall and winter virus season resource page.

Protect Yourself With County Immunization Clinics

Immunizations are one of the most powerful tools the department uses to prevent disease in the community. Maricopa County offers vaccines for children and adults at public health clinics and scheduled community events.

Key points about the county’s immunization services:

Vaccines are available to both insured and uninsured residents

Childhood clinics offer free vaccines Monday through Friday by appointment

Adults 19 and older can receive recommended vaccines at no cost, also by appointment

Some vaccines (for example, certain travel or employment vaccines) may not be offered; staff can direct you to other providers when needed

On the Immunizations page, you can:

Learn how to schedule appointments at standing clinics
See which child and adult vaccines are offered
Find links to children’s and adult immunization schedules
Understand eligibility and what to bring to your visit

To see exactly which vaccines are available and how the clinics operate, go to the
Public Health immunizations page.

Access Testing and Care Through STI and HIV Services

Maricopa County Public Health provides specialized clinics for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. These services focus on prevention, testing, treatment, and linkage to ongoing care.

The STI / HIV Services program offers:

Walk-in and scheduled testing at clinics in Phoenix, Glendale, and Goodyear
Access to diagnosis and treatment for many common STIs
HIV testing and connection to HIV care and support services
Information on clinic closures and holiday schedules
Access to medical records related to your visits

The program also provides access to case statistics and medical records through additional pages linked from the main STI / HIV section.

For clinic hours, locations, and instructions on getting tested or accessing test results, visit the
STI and HIV Services information page.

Support Your Family With the WIC Nutrition Program

The Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program is a core part of the Public Health Department’s work to support families. It provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other community resources.

WIC is designed for:

People who are pregnant
People who are breastfeeding
People whose pregnancy ended within the past six months
Primary caregivers of infants and children under age 5

The program offers:

Free nutrition and breastfeeding support
Personalized nutrition guidance from experts in pregnancy and early childhood
Healthy food benefits for eligible families
Referrals to other services within Public Health and across the county

The WIC site explains income guidelines, who qualifies automatically, how unborn babies are counted in family size, and what documents to bring to your appointment (such as ID, proof of address, and proof of income).

To learn how to apply, locate clinics, and review eligibility details, visit the
Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program page.

Plan a Visit: Public Health Clinic Locations and Hours

The Public Health Department runs multiple clinic sites across the county so that residents can receive services where they live or work. These sites may provide overlapping services such as immunizations, STI/HIV testing, Vital Records, and WIC, depending on location.

On the Locations & Hours page, you can:

See the Public Health Administration office address and weekday business hours

Confirm which locations provide immunizations, STI/HIV testing, WIC, tuberculosis testing and control, Vital Records, and medical records

Review holiday closure dates for all sites

Find maps and directions for clinics in Phoenix, Glendale, Goodyear, and Mesa

Check office hours for the Office of Vital Registration

You’ll also find information on how to contact the department online if you prefer to send a message instead of calling.

To confirm which services are available at each clinic and to see updated closure notices, use the
Public Health locations and hours directory.

Use Vital Records and Clinic Locations Together

In many situations, residents interact with more than one Public Health service at the same site. For example:

The Phoenix clinic at 1645 E. Roosevelt St. serves as a hub for Vital Records, STI/HIV services, immunizations, and WIC.

The Glendale and Goodyear clinics provide a combination of STI/HIV testing, immunizations, WIC services, and Vital Records support.

This setup makes it easier to complete multiple tasks in a single visit. You might, for instance, pick up a child’s birth certificate from Vital Records and then walk to the immunizations area for school shots, or combine STI testing with an immunization appointment.

Because services and hours can change, always confirm your clinic’s offerings through the locations directory or individual program pages before heading out.

Tap Into Home Visiting and Specialized Maternal–Child Health Programs

Beyond clinics and paperwork, the Public Health Department runs several programs that support maternal and child health in more intensive ways.

Nurse-Family Partnership and High Risk Perinatal Program

For families dealing with medical or social risk factors around pregnancy and early childhood, the department offers:

Nurse-Family Partnership: A nurse home-visiting program that supports first-time parents from pregnancy until the child’s early years

High Risk Perinatal Program (formerly Newborn Intensive Care): A program that provides follow-up and support for families with babies who needed intensive medical care

These programs typically involve regular contact with Public Health nurses who can help families understand medical instructions, navigate community resources, and build healthy routines at home.

South Phoenix Healthy Start

South Phoenix Healthy Start focuses on reducing poor birth outcomes and improving infant health in specific neighborhoods. The program’s physical address and contact options are listed in the department’s phone directory and locations section. Families may receive case management, home visits, and referrals tailored to their needs.

These intensive services work alongside WIC, immunizations, and other clinic-based programs, providing a broader safety net for pregnant individuals and families with young children.

Learn How Public Health Uses Data and Partnerships

Much of the department’s work happens behind the scenes, in the form of data collection, planning, and coordination with health systems, community organizations, and other government departments.

The Public Health Department:

Publishes community health data and reports that guide planning and resource allocation

Engages in partner-driven projects to tackle complex issues such as chronic disease, health equity, and emergency preparedness

Offers training for health professionals and opportunities for volunteers through programs such as the Medical Reserve Corps

This data- and partnership-focused work supports the more visible services residents use every day. It helps ensure that programs like immunizations, WIC, and Vital Records are responsive to real community needs and are ready to adapt when new health threats emerge.

Get in Touch: Contacting the Public Health Department

There are several ways to connect directly with the Maricopa County Public Health Department depending on what you need:

General administration and leadership questions often go through the Public Health Administration office.

Service-related questions about diseases monitored by the county, vaccines, and HIV/STI testing are handled by the CARES Team, which also assists with scheduling immunization appointments.

Program-specific questions—such as those about tuberculosis control, children’s immunizations, WIC, home visiting programs, or medical records—can be directed to the dedicated phone numbers listed in the department’s contact and locations pages.

Online inquiries can be sent using the department’s contact form, which routes questions to the right program area.

If you’re unsure where to start, the CARES Team and the main Public Health Administration office are good first stops. They can either answer your question or refer you to the right program.

Key Maricopa County Public Health Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Maricopa County Department of Public Health Administration – 4041 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012 – Phone: 602-506-6900

Maricopa CARES Help Line and Public Health Clinic – 1645 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, AZ 85006 – Phone: 602-506-6767

Office of Vital Registration (Vital Records) – 331 E. Coury Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210 – Phone: 602-506-6805

STI / HIV Services Clinic – 5141 W. Lamar Rd., Glendale, AZ 85301 – Phone: 602-506-1678

Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program – 14130 W. McDowell Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85395 – Phone: 602-506-9333

South Phoenix Healthy Start – 3230 E. Broadway Rd., Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85040 – Phone: 602-372-1166

Tuberculosis Control & Prevention – Phone: 602-372-1407

Medical Records – Phone: 602-506-6018

Nurse-Family Partnership – Phone: 602-506-0610

High Risk Perinatal Program – Phone: 602-506-6783

Maricopa County Public Health Department FAQs

How do I quickly find the right Public Health program online?

Start at the county’s main Public Health department page. From there you can jump straight into “Programs for Residents,” “Diseases and Conditions,” community health data, and training pages. The homepage also highlights common tasks like getting certificates, vaccines, and virus-season guidance, so it’s a good first stop if you’re not sure which program name you need.

How can I request a birth or death certificate through Vital Records?

Certificates are handled by the Office of Vital Registration. On the Vital Records services page you can order certified copies, correct or amend an existing record, register a home birth or family burial, and learn about indigent decedent services and White Tanks Cemetery. The page also lists current office locations, hours, fees, and closure notices so you can plan your visit.

Where do I check clinic locations, hours, and holiday closures?

Maricopa County groups most details into a single Locations & Hours directory. There you’ll see which clinics offer Vital Records, STI/HIV testing, children’s and adult immunizations, WIC, tuberculosis services, and medical records. The same page notes upcoming holiday closures and reminds residents that the Public Health Administration office does not provide walk-in services.

What should I know about county immunization clinics?

County immunization services are outlined on the Immunizations clinics page. Public Health offers scheduled childhood and adult vaccines at standing clinics and some community events. Anyone can be seen regardless of insurance status. The site explains which vaccines are typically available, how to book an appointment through the CARES Team, and when you might need to seek other providers for travel or employment-related shots.

How does the county support families through the WIC program?

The Women, Infants & Children (WIC) section describes who can enroll, current income guidelines, and what to bring when you apply. You can request an appointment online, upload required documents, find clinic locations, and access education modules, resource guides, and a cookbook. The page also connects families to nurse home visits and other Public Health programs that complement WIC services.