44th Annual Great American Smokeout

November 21, 2019 is the 44th Annual Great American Smokeout. Since 1976, the American Cancer Society has hosted the Great American Smokeout, a national public awareness event encouraging people to quit smoking, even if it is just for one day. 

Qu...

Public Health Division’s Minority Health Program Receives $20k Grant

The City of Portland Public Health Division’s Minority Health Program is pleased to announce that the Maine Health Access Foundation has awarded it $20,000 grant to assist efforts in increasing the number of Portland residents enrolled in the MaineCare an...

City Public Health Officials Warn of Vaping Dangers

As reports of vaping-related illnesses increase, Maine has enacted a law banning vaping on school grounds. On September 19, LD 152 took effect. The statute, “An Act to Prohibit the Possession and Use of Electronic Smoking Devices on School Grou...

Portland handed out nearly 200,000 free needles last year. Here's where they went.

With that many syringes in circulation — distributed by the city alone — you might expect to find heaps of them on every street corner. But Portland has made significant efforts to keep its streets, parks and playgrounds free of used syringes.

Health Alert - MMR Vaccine Guidelines from the CDC

Please see the current MMR vaccine recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Public Health Nurses Host Spanish Story Time for Families with Kids Up to 5 Years Old

The City of Portland Public Health's Maternal and Child Health Nurses are now offering a Story Hour in Spanish at their “Baby Hub" time. This is a free to the public month-long series beginning March 19 on Tuesday afternoons from 2-3 pm at ...

City Celebrates National Public Health Week April 1 - 7

The City of Portland’s Public Health Department is celebrating National Public Health Week April 1 - 7 and invites the public to join in. 

Help kick off the week by taking a "tour" of Portland’s Public Health Division to see all they hav...

India Street STD Clinic Now Offers Online Appointment Scheduling

Patients can now make appointments online for the India Street STD Clinic. Click here to book now. 

Limited appointments are offered on Tuesday afternoons followed by drop-in hours (first come, first serve).

Thursday is now all appointments. If app...

Public Health's Minority Health Program Releases 2018 Minority Health Assessment Report

The City of Portland Public Health Division’s Minority Health Program is pleased to announce the publication of its 2018 Minority Health Assessment Report.  The assessment was administered through a survey (orally translated) to participants sele...

Portland Files Lawsuit in Cumberland County Superior Court Against Opioid Manufacturers

The City of Portland filed a lawsuit today in Cumberland County Superior Court against the manufacturers and distributors of opioid drugs in response to the substantial impact, including the loss of lives, that the opioid epidemic has had on the Portland ...

City’s Public Health Director Presents Vision to Council’s Health & Human Services Committee

The City’s Public Health Director, Dr. Kolawole Bankole, outlined his vision and goals for the future of the department during last night’s Health & Human Services Committee meeting. Dr. Bankole envisions a responsive public health department, one tha...

Public Health Division Achieves Accreditation

The City of Portland’s Public Health Division has achieved local public health department accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). This places Portland in the first 6% to achieve this distinction among more than 2,500 local publ...Read on...