Location

825 North Capitol Street, NE
2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 442-9035

Mission

The mission of Primary Care, Prevention and Planning (PCPP) is to improve the health and well being of residents by reporting, investigating and controlling communicable diseases, prevention of chronic diseases and their complications, and engaging in health care systems planning to meet the service needs of the population. OPCPP focuses on carrying out the Mayor’s initiatives to reorient the health care system toward community-based prevention, primary care, and keeping children and families healthy to reduce unnecessary hospital utilization and diminish the burden of disease in the District’s population.

Overview

Primary Care, Prevention and Planning is the principal agency responsible for epidemiologic surveillance, communicable disease control, preventive health, primary care, the State Health Plan and health care service planning in the District of Columbia. These efforts involve the assessment of DC health needs through ongoing and targeted epidemiologic surveillance; development of programs and policies to meet these needs; and evaluation of the results of these efforts. OPCPP is organized into of five bureaus including Communicable Disease, Chronic Disease, Epidemiology and Health Risk Assessment, State Health Planning and Development and Primary Care. Primary Care, Prevention and Planning serves District residents, community groups, government agencies, health care providers and numerous other stakeholders through the following direct and collaborative efforts and initiatives:

• Provide leadership in preventive health, primary care and health planning in the District of Columbia and serve as a health planning resource for policy makers.
• Develop and regularly update the State Health Plan, which specifies the population need for health services in the District of Columbia.
• Issue Certificates of Need to (health service organizations and programs).
• Place medical providers in health profession shortage areas.
• Design and implement initiatives for the prevention of chronic disease and disability.
• Provide free immunizations, mammography, diabetes screening, and numerous other health screening and prevention services to District residents.
• Investigate outbreaks of communicable disease such as Legionella, meningitis and foodborne illnesses; and maintain an active program to monitor potential epidemic diseases and safeguard the health of the population.
• Maintain a program for the study and prevention of injury and disability, and programs to aid children and adults with disabilities.
• Maintain an immunization registry that serves as a critical resource for schools, parents and physicians.

Offices and Agencies under The Office of Primary Care, Prevention and Planning

• Preventive Health Services Administration
• State Health Planning and Development Agency
• Primary Care Administration