Section 140.03. Definitions.

  In this chapter:

(1)  "Community health assessment" means the regular, systematic collection, assembly, analysis and dissemination of information on the health of the community.

(2)  "Department" means the Wisconsin department of health services.

(3)  "Environmental health program" means the assessment, management, control and prevention of environmental factors that may adversely affect the health, comfort, safety or well-being of individuals within the jurisdiction of the local health department by individuals qualified under s. 440.98 , Stats., and ch. DHS 139 .

(4)  "Epidemiological investigation" means the systematic examination and detailed inquiry into the circumstances and causal factors associated with a given disease or injury.

(5)  "General public health nursing program" means the organization and delivery of public health nursing services by public health nurses qualified under s. 250.06 (1) , Stats., and s. DHS 139.08 to individuals within the jurisdiction of the local health department.

(6)  "Health promotion" means programs and services that increase the public understanding of health, assist in the development of more positive health practices and enhance or maintain the health of the community as a whole.

(7)  "Human health hazard" means a substance, activity or condition that is known to have the potential to cause acute or chronic illness or death if exposure to the substance, activity or condition is not abated or removed.

(8)  "Local health department" means an agency of local government that has any of the forms specified in s. 250.01 (4) , Stats.

(9)  "Local health officer" means the person in charge of a local health department who meets the qualifications and is responsible for carrying out the duties established under s. 251.06 , Stats.

(10)  "Other disease prevention" means programs and services that reduce the risk of disease, disability, injury or premature death caused by such factors as risky behaviors, poor health practices or environmental agents of disease.

(11)  "Public health system" means organized community efforts aimed at the prevention of disease and the promotion and protection of health, including activities of public and private agencies and voluntary organizations and individuals.

(12)  "State health officer" means the individual appointed under s. 250.02 (1) , Stats., by the secretary of the department to develop public health policy for the state and direct state public health programs.

(13)  "Surveillance" means the ongoing systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data concerning disease, injuries or human health hazards, and the timely dissemination of these data to persons responsible for preventing and controlling disease or injury and others who need to know.

History: Cr. Register, July, 1998, No. 511 , eff. 8-1-98; corrections in (2), (3) and (5) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6. and 7. , Stats., Register January 2009 No. 637 .