Who We Are
The Division of Disease Control and Health Statistics (DCHS) is within the Executive Office of Health and Science and uses innovative methods to provide quality information, vital records, and assessment services. It works with state, local, tribal, and other partners to take public health actions, develop public health policy, and conduct assessment activities to improve the health of people in Washington.
DCHS consists of more than 500 staff in five areas:
Center for Health Statistics
The Center for Health Statistics (CHS) collects and publishes health data including official state records, behavioral risk factors, and hospitalizations. CHS also issues certificates used for proving identity, age, and relationships to others, as well as inclusive services such as legal name change, expanded sex designation, or parentage on their records. Contact the Center for Health Statistics to order certificates or to locate health statistics.
Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology
The Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (OCDE) supports local health jurisdictions in conducting investigations and disease control for cases and outbreaks of foodborne illness, zoonotic diseases, tuberculosis, vaccine preventable disease, healthcare-associated infections, and more. Online reports include summaries of surveillance data.
Office of Infectious Diseases
The Office of Infectious Disease (OID) provides services to prevent and control sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Other responsibilities are HIV Client Services Early Intervention Program and support for programs to improve the health of people who use drugs. Online reports include data summaries.
Washington State Public Health Laboratories
The Washington State Public Health Laboratories (PHL) assist local health jurisdictions and healthcare providers with diagnostic and analytic services. It is the reference laboratory for analyzing biotoxins and certain high concern agents.
Policy and Legislative Relations
Policy and Legislative Relations works internally to coordinate legislative session activities, develop policy, support rulemaking for the Division, and promote Foundational Public Health Services.
Contact Us
For more information, call 360-236-4202.