public health office
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public health office
A state or municipal authority responsible for protecting public health. Its tasks include monitoring infectious diseases, hygiene inspections, and health counseling.
Nach dem positiven Testergebnis musste er sich umgehend beim Gesundheitsamt melden.
After the positive test result, he had to contact the public health office immediately.
The word is made up of three parts: 'Gesundheit' (health), the linking 's', and 'Amt' (office/authority). So it literally means an 'Amt für die Gesundheit' (office for health).
Das Gesundheitsamt ist für die Überwachung der Wasserqualität zuständig.
The public health office is responsible for monitoring water quality.
To describe movement, you use 'zum Gesundheitsamt gehen' (to go to the public health office). When you mean the location or contact with the authority, you say 'beim Gesundheitsamt anrufen' (to call the public health office) or 'sich beim Gesundheitsamt melden' (to contact/report to the public health office).
Für die Belehrung muss man persönlich zum Gesundheitsamt.
For the instruction session, you have to go to the public health office in person.
Common verbs in connection with this authority are 'das Gesundheitsamt informieren' (to inform the public health office), 'vom Gesundheitsamt kontaktiert werden' (to be contacted by the public health office), and 'eine Meldung an das Gesundheitsamt machen' (to make a report to the public health office).
Der Arzt muss den Fall an das zuständige Gesundheitsamt melden.
The doctor has to report the case to the responsible public health office.
Ministry of Health
'das Gesundheitsamt' and 'das Gesundheitsministerium' both belong to the area of health and government. The difference is the level. 'das Gesundheitsamt' is usually a local public health office in a city or district. It deals with practical tasks on site, for example infection control, hygiene, or advice. 'das Gesundheitsministerium' is the highest authority of a state or federal state. It makes health policy and sets major rules or decisions. The words can be confused because both sound official. For specific local cases, 'Gesundheitsamt' usually fits; for policy and major decisions, 'Gesundheitsministerium' fits.
Bei der Arbeit meldet meine Kollegin dem Gesundheitsamt einen Verdacht auf eine Infektion.
At work, my colleague reports a suspected infection to the public health office.
Das Gesundheitsministerium informiert heute über die neuen Regeln für Krankenhäuser.
The Ministry of Health is providing information today about the new rules for hospitals.