Virginia Board of Health facts for kids

The Virginia Board of Health is a group of 15 people who work independently to make rules for health places in Virginia. They help make sure hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities are safe and follow important guidelines.

What is the Virginia Board of Health?

The Virginia Board of Health is like a special team that helps keep people in Virginia healthy. It has 15 members who are chosen by the Governor of Virginia. These members serve for four years at a time. They can serve up to two terms in a row.

Who are the Members?

The people on the Board come from different health backgrounds. This helps them make good decisions about health for everyone. For example, there are doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. There are also people who work in hospitals and nursing homes. Some members represent local governments or are regular citizens. This mix of people helps the Board understand many different health needs.

The Board meets several times a year. They often meet in Richmond, the capital of Virginia. They also travel to other cities around the state to hold meetings.

What Does the Board Do?

The Board of Health has many important jobs. It works closely with the Virginia Department of Health. Think of the Board as the group that creates the main plans and rules for public health services in Virginia.

Making Health Rules

One of the Board's main jobs is to approve rules for the Department of Health. These rules help make sure that health services are safe and fair. For example, they make rules about how research using people should be done. They can also allow exceptions to these rules if needed.

Helping with Health Costs

The Board also helps with how people pay for health care. They set limits on how much money people can earn to get help with medical costs if they can't afford it. They also decide how much people should pay for certain health services from the Department of Health. The Board works with other groups to study how health care is paid for and how to make it better.

Fighting Diseases

The Board plays a big part in fighting diseases like AIDS in Virginia. They manage programs that give money for AIDS services and education. This money helps centers that offer support and treatment for people with AIDS.

Promoting Healthy Living

The Board also encourages health education for everyone. They create programs that teach people how to stay healthy and prevent sickness. They also help local groups and private businesses work together to offer health education. The Board even gives money to programs that help people stay healthy at their workplaces.

Emergency Health Powers

In times of emergency, the Board has special powers. They can make quick rules to stop things that are dangerous to public health. This includes stopping the spread of diseases or other dangers that could harm many people.