Division of Acute Disease Prevention, Emergency Response, & Environmental Health (ADPER & EH)

Acute Disease Prevention and Emergency Response

The Acute Disease Prevention and Emergency Response (ADPER) section of the Division provides support, technical assistance and consultation to local public health agencies, hospitals, emergency medical service programs, and local health care providers regarding infectious diseases, disease prevention and control, injury prevention and control, and public health and healthcare emergency preparedness and response.  Three Bureaus make up ADPER: Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology, Bureau of Immunization and TB, and Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services.

• The Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) works to protect and preserve the health and safety of Iowans from infectious diseases through disease surveillance; investigation of acute outbreaks; and education and consultation to county, local, and private health agencies on infectious diseases. The center also provides consultation to county and local health agencies on diseases requiring public health intervention, collaborates with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by weekly reporting of nationally reportable diseases, and offers health education opportunities through lectures and organizational seminars.
• The Bureau of Immunization & TB works to reduce the impact of communicable diseases in Iowa and to eliminate the morbidity associated with these diseases. Programs within the bureau monitor current infectious disease trends, prevent transmission of infectious diseases, provide immunizations for public health clinics and Vaccine for Children recipients provide early detection and treatment for infected persons, and ensure healthcare access for refugees.
• The Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services (BETS) provides leadership, direction and resource support to build a comprehensive, sustainable, efficient and effective statewide EMS system, is responsible for the development and implementation of the emergency response plans and operating procedures, and provides the management and oversight for Iowa's public health and hospital preparedness program.  The bureau regulates and facilitates all aspects of the continuum of EMS care in Iowa through administrative code (147A, 641-Chapters 131-141) inclusive of, but not limited to, EMS system development, EMS service program authorization, certification of EMS personnel, the management of Iowa's trauma system, Emergency Medical Services for Children, injury prevention initiatives, data acquisition and management, education coordination and disaster preparedness. Additionally, BETS is responsible for the department's Emergency Coordination Center (EOC), Continuity of Operation's Plan, Iowa Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (IA-DMAT), the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and the Health Alert Network (HAN) system.

Environmental Health

The Environmental Health (EH) section of the Division provides technical assistance to local boards of health, local environmental health professionals, public health nurses, and local communities in areas relating to environmental health. Two Bureaus make up EH: Bureau of Radiological health and Bureau of Environmental Health Services.

• The mission of Bureau of Radiological Health is to protect Iowans from excessive exposure to radiation. The Bureau conducts licensing of facilities using radioactive materials; registration of facilities using radiation-producing machines or operating tanning units; inspection of facilities using radioactive materials; credentialing of persons using radioactive material or operating radiation-emitting machines; approval of training courses and continuing education; and emergency response as it relates to radioactive materials and nuclear power plant incidents.
• The Bureau of Environmental Health Services focuses on assisting local boards of health on environmental health issues; epidemiology and surveillance of environmental health related diseases; the licensing of many professionals, facilities and devices; and performs inspections to ensure the health and safety of Iowans.

Reports

ADPER & EH Annual Reports

• ADPER & EH 2018 Annual Report 
• ADPER & EH 2017 Annual Report 
• ADPER & EH 2016 Annual Report 
• ADPER & EH 2015 Annual Report 

Topics of Interest:

• Influenza
• EPI Manual
• Flood-related Disease Precautions and Information
• Food-borne Illness
• West Nile Virus Information
• Health Alert Network/Communication
• CADE Field Epidemiologist Coverage by County and Service Area Region
• Rabies Exposure Management for Bat-related Incidents
• Smallpox Information

Valuable Links

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health
• Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination
• Free Resource Information on Water/Wastewater Treatment-State Links
• Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
• Iowa Dept. of Inspections and Appeals
• Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
• Iowa Environmental Health Association
• Iowa Farm*A*Syst Program
• Iowa General Assembly (Legislative)
• Iowa Groundwater Association
• Iowa On-site Waste Water Association
• Iowa State University Extension Service
• Iowa Water Well Association
• National Environmental Health Association
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• State Hygienic Laboratory
• Reportable Environmental and Occupational Diseases, Poisonings and Conditions

Contact Information

Ken Sharp

Division Director Lucas State Office Building

321 E. 12th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-0075