Atlanta Health Department: How Public Health Works in Atlanta and How to Use It

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, Georgia, the phrase “Atlanta Health Department” usually refers to the public agencies that protect community health, handle vaccines, restaurant inspections, STDs, and more. In the Atlanta area, services are mainly delivered through:

• Fulton County Board of Health (FCBOH)
• Dekalb County Board of Health
• The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and its local district offices
• The City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Health-related initiatives (for certain programs)

Understanding who does what — and where to go — can save you time and stress.

Key Public Health Agencies Serving Atlanta

Fulton County Board of Health (serving most of Atlanta)

Most neighborhoods with an Atlanta address fall inside Fulton County, so Fulton County Board of Health is the go‑to “health department” for many residents.

Main location (administration & many services):
Fulton County Board of Health
10 Park Place South SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 613‑1205 (main line, often routed through Fulton County government)

FCBOH operates several health centers throughout the county, including inside the City of Atlanta and near MARTA routes. Common services include:

• Immunizations and vaccines (childhood, adult, travel, flu, COVID‑19, etc.)
• STD/STI testing and treatment, including HIV services
• Family planning and some reproductive health services
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program
• Tuberculosis (TB) testing and treatment
• Refugee health screenings
• Environmental health, including restaurant and pool inspections, septic issues, and nuisance complaints

If your address is in Fulton County, start by looking for the nearest Fulton County health center and checking its services and hours, which may vary by location.

Dekalb County Board of Health (for Atlanta addresses in DeKalb County)

Some Atlanta neighborhoods (especially on the east side) are in DeKalb County, even if they use “Atlanta” as the city in their mailing address. In those areas, the “Atlanta health department” for you is usually the DeKalb County Board of Health.

Main administrative office:
DeKalb County Board of Health
445 Winn Way, Suite 320
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: (404) 294‑3700

DeKalb County Board of Health offers many of the same core services as Fulton:

• Vaccinations and immunizations
• STD/HIV services
• Family planning and women’s health
• WIC clinics
• Child health and school-required vaccines
• Environmental health (restaurant inspections, pool inspections, etc.)

If you’re not sure whether you’re in Fulton or DeKalb, you can usually confirm by:

• Checking your property tax bill or landlord information
• Using your county property appraiser’s website
• Calling either board of health and asking which county covers your address

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) & Regional Support

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the statewide authority headquartered in Atlanta. It oversees:

• Statewide disease monitoring and outbreak response
• State lab testing for certain infections and environmental samples
• Immunization programs and vaccine policy
• Guidance for local health departments

DPH works through public health districts and county boards of health, which is why most everyday services (like shots or STD testing) are provided at your county health department, not at the state office.

If you have questions about statewide programs, reportable diseases, or professional licensing, you may end up dealing with DPH rather than your county office.

What the “Atlanta Health Department” Can Help You With

Here’s how the most common public health services in Atlanta are organized, in plain language.

1. Vaccines and Immunizations

If you need shots in Atlanta, your local health department is one of the most common places to go.

Typical services:

• Childhood vaccines required for school and daycare
• Adult vaccines, including tetanus, HPV, pneumonia, and shingles
• Flu shots (seasonal)
• COVID‑19 vaccines (availability can change over time)
• Travel vaccines (often at designated clinics; call ahead)

💡 Tip:
Health centers may have specific days or hours for immunizations. Call before going so you know whether you need an appointment and what to bring (like ID or shot records).

2. STD, HIV, and Sexual Health Services

Both Fulton and DeKalb Boards of Health operate sexual health / STD clinics that many Atlanta residents use for:

• Testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and other infections
• Treatment for many common STDs
• Partner notification or counseling in some cases
• PrEP/PEP referrals and HIV support services (availability may vary by clinic)

These services may be:

• Low-cost or sliding-scale
• Free for certain tests or populations

Walk-in visits may be allowed at some clinics, but appointments are increasingly common, especially after the COVID‑19 pandemic.

3. Women’s Health, Family Planning, and Pregnancy Support

Local health departments in Atlanta often provide basic reproductive and preventive services, such as:

• Birth control counseling and some contraceptive options
• Pregnancy testing
• Breast and cervical cancer screening referrals or clinics
• Preconception counseling and basic education

They also connect pregnant individuals with:

• WIC services
• Referral to prenatal care providers

For high‑risk pregnancies or specialty obstetric care, the health department typically refers out to hospitals and private clinics rather than treating directly.

4. WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Services

The WIC nutrition program is run locally through county health departments.

You may qualify if you are:

• Pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding
• Have an infant or child under age 5
• Meet income and nutritional risk requirements

What WIC typically offers in Atlanta:

• Nutritional counseling and education
• Vouchers or benefits for approved healthy foods
• Breastfeeding support
• Growth monitoring and basic health screening

Most counties have multiple WIC office locations. Expect to:

• Call for an eligibility screening
• Bring documentation of identity, address, and income
• Set up an appointment for your first visit

5. Environmental Health & Restaurant Inspections

When Atlanta residents talk about “the health department” in the context of food safety or restaurants, they’re usually talking about the environmental health division of the county board of health.

This part of the health department:

• Inspects restaurants, food trucks, bars, and some grocery operations
• Inspects public swimming pools and spas
• Monitors hotel/motel sanitation
• Handles complaints about:
  • Unsafe food handling or illness after dining out
  • Mold, sewage, or other sanitation issues in certain settings
  • Standing water or mosquito breeding in some public or commercial places

If you got sick after eating in an Atlanta restaurant, you can:

1. Identify the county where the restaurant sits (Fulton or DeKalb for most of the City of Atlanta).
2. Contact that county’s environmental health division to file a complaint.

They may ask:

• When and where you ate
• What you ate and your symptoms
• Whether a doctor diagnosed you with a specific illness

Complaints help the health department decide whether an inspection or investigation is needed.

6. Community Health Programs and Chronic Disease Prevention

Public health in Atlanta is not only about outbreaks and inspections. The health departments and city partners also run community health programs, such as:

• Smoking and vaping cessation programs
• High blood pressure and diabetes screenings and education
• Healthy eating and physical activity initiatives
• Injury prevention and violence prevention campaigns
• Community HIV outreach and testing events

These programs may be hosted at:

• Health department clinics
• Community centers
• Libraries, churches, or schools

Events and offerings change over time, so it’s useful to check current schedules with Fulton or DeKalb Boards of Health.

7. Emergency Preparedness and Disease Outbreaks

Behind the scenes, Atlanta’s health departments coordinate with:

• Hospitals and clinics
• Atlanta Fire Rescue, EMS, police
• Schools and universities
• Regional and federal partners (for larger emergencies)

Their role includes:

• Planning for pandemics, bioterrorism, and natural disasters
• Coordinating mass vaccination or medication clinics during emergencies
• Issuing public health alerts about outbreaks or hazards
• Providing guidance to providers and the public during disease outbreaks

During emergencies, information is typically shared through:

• County websites
• Local news
• Social media accounts of the health departments and city

Common Reasons People in Atlanta Contact the Health Department

Here are some everyday situations and the typical health department response.

“I need vaccines for school or work.”

• Check whether your address is in Fulton or DeKalb County.
• Call the nearest public health center to ask:
  • What vaccines they offer
  • If appointments are required
  • What it will cost and what insurance, if any, is accepted
• Bring your existing shot records if you have them.

“I want low‑cost STD testing.”

• Look for STD or sexual health clinics under your county’s board of health.
• Ask about:
  • Walk‑in hours vs. appointments
  • Fees or sliding scale
  • Available treatments and follow‑up support

Many Atlanta residents use the health department because costs are often lower than private clinics, especially if uninsured.

“I’m pregnant and want WIC or support.”

• Contact the WIC office through the Fulton or DeKalb County Board of Health (depending on your county).
• Ask what documents you’ll need for your first appointment.
• Ask whether they can help connect you with prenatal care providers if you don’t already have one.

“I think a restaurant in Atlanta made me sick.”

• Confirm which county the restaurant is in.
• Call that county’s environmental health division to report your concern.
• Provide as many specifics as you can:
  • Date and time of visit
  • What you ate
  • When symptoms started
  • Whether anyone else in your group got sick

They may not be able to tell you details of any inspection, but your report can help protect others.

“I got a notice about a possible exposure (TB, measles, etc.).”

If the health department contacts you about a disease exposure:

• They are usually trying to keep you and the community safe.
• They may recommend:
  • Testing
  • Vaccination
  • Short‑term treatment or preventive medication

Follow the instructions in the letter or call the number provided to clarify next steps. If you’re unsure whether a notice is genuine, you can independently call the main phone number for your county health department and ask.

Quick Reference: Who to Call for What in Atlanta

Practical Tips for Using Health Department Services in Atlanta

• Call before you go.
  Hours, services, and walk‑in availability can differ by location and can change over time.

• Ask about cost upfront.
  Some services are free, others are low‑cost or based on income. Many clinics can give you an estimate over the phone.

• Bring ID and documents.
  For WIC, immunizations, or certain screenings, you may need:

  • Photo ID
  • Proof of address
  • Insurance card, if you have one
  • Shot records or medical history, if available

• Use MARTA‑accessible locations if you rely on transit.
  Many health centers in Atlanta are located near major bus routes or rail stations.

• Keep an eye on local announcements.
  For flu season, COVID‑19 surges, or other outbreaks, the health departments sometimes expand hours or add special clinics.

Public health in Atlanta is organized by county, but for most practical purposes, the “Atlanta Health Department” for you will be the Fulton County Board of Health or DeKalb County Board of Health, backed by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Knowing which agency covers your neighborhood — and what each one does — makes it much easier to get vaccines, screenings, and support when you need them.