What is the lead division within DOH to coordinate a public health response?

• A. The Health Promotion Division
• B. The Environmental Health Division
• C. The Clinical Services Division
• D. The Epidemiology and Response Division (ERD)

Answer: (D)

The Epidemiology and Response Division is the lead unit for coordinating a public health response. Epidemiology is centered on surveillance, outbreak detection, investigations, and data analysis that identify what’s happening, where, and who is at risk. This information guides timely decisions, directs interventions, and helps track whether actions are reducing spread or impact. By coordinating across divisions and with partners, ERD ensures the response is organized, evidence-based, and focused on the most pressing public health needs. The other divisions play essential roles—Health Promotion drives education and behavior change; Environmental Health ensures safe environmental conditions; Clinical Services provides care and clinical guidance—but they don’t typically spearhead the overall coordination of the public health response.