The Department of Health, established October 1930, is the sole government agency responsible for improving the health of Anne Arundel County. By State and County authority, the Department of Health is charged with enforcement of certain federal, State and County laws and regulations. In addition to regulatory and enforcement work, the Department of Health directly provides mandated, delegated and locally-initiated public health services. The Anne Arundel County Council, which also serves as the County Board of Health; the County Medical Society’s Advisory Committee; and several advisory councils help the Department of Health establish its direction. Nearly 700 Department of Health employees — physicians, nurses, social workers, sanitarians, counselors, therapists and other allied health and support personnel — bring compassion and commitment to their work and a concern for continually improving the quality of the Department’s services. The impact of their combined effort is extensive. More than one out of every three County residents is directly served by a Department of Health program each year. More than 184,000 residents receive direct personal health or screening services through Department programs. Another 41,000 residents and businesses receive permits, inspections and other environmental services annually.