Health & Human Services Department | 389 Congress Street | Portland, Maine 04101 | (207) 874-8633

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Stay Healthy This Winter!  (12/23/2008)
Stay healthy this winter with some useful tips from Maine Center for Disease Control. More

G&J Gourmet Market Cocoa Mix Recall  (12/19/2008)
Dorsey Marketing Inc. of Ville St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada, is voluntarily recalling three G&J Gourmet Market cocoa products because they may contain melamine. These products are sold at Big Lots stores around the country. More

Flu Virus Offically Here  (12/18/2008)
Influenza has officially arrived in Maine. The first laboratory confirmed cases of influenza were reported this week. More

*Health Advisory* Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault   (12/9/2008)
Domestic violence can take many different forms, including physical, sexual, economic, emotional, and psychological abuse, often forming a pattern of coercive and intimidating behaviors. More

Initiative to Support Healthy Youth in Portland - Request for Applications  (12/3/2008)
Two mini-grants now available from Healthy Portland for up to $1500. More

Hepatitis A in the Kennebunk Area  (11/7/2008)
Hepatitis A is an uncommon disease in Maine. An average of 11 cases are identified in Maine each year. More

Smoke-free Ordinance for Outdoor Dining Now in Effect  (10/2/2008)
A new smoke-free ordinance is now in effect in Portland. The ordinance prohibits smoking within the outdoor areas of restaurants and bars in Portland where beverage or dining service is available until 10:00 PM. More

Recall of Frozen Chicken Meals That May Contain Foreign Materials  (11/17/2008)
Nestlé Prepared Foods Company is recalling approximately 879,565 pounds of frozen chicken meals that may contain foreign materials. More

Mosquitoes in Arundel Test Positive for EEE  (10/9/2008)
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) within the Maine DHHS is reporting that a pool of mosquitoes, collected on September 30, 2008 from the town of Arundel in York County, has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). More

Cumberland Farms Joins the “NO BUTS” Program  (10/7/2008)
The program provides retailers with the materials they need to properly train employees to prevent underage tobacco sales, while stressing the underlying compelling health reasons for restricting sales of tobacco to teens. More

Maine's Immunization Coalition Decries State's Immunization Rates  (10/2/2008)
Maine falls from #1 in the country to the lowest ranking in the New England Region. More

Help us help you!  (6/3/2008)
Help the Public Health Division focus its efforts on the health problems in your community by participating in our Municipal Health Survey. More

FoodBorne Illness UnderReported Nationwide  (4/7/2008)
For every one case of salmoneliosis (a common foodborne illness) reported, there are an estimated 38 that go unreported. More

Adults Lack Vaccination Awareness  (3/20/2008)
Despite the proven effectiveness of vaccines and their potential to save thousands of U.S. lives every year, American adults are receiving needed immunizations at alarmingly low rates. More

The Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Annual Report is now Available.  (2/19/2008)
The Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Annual Report for the Portland Public Health Division is now available for public viewing. More

street & free clinic

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Homeless Health Care
Portland Community Free Clinic

The Street and Free Clinic provides primary and specialty services to residents of the Greater Portland area who cannot afford to pay for their own health care. Through the Health Care for the Homeless Clinic (HCHC) and the Portland Community Free Clinic (PCFC), homeless and uninsured individuals can seek quality primary, specialty, mental health and substance abuse services from dedicated, community providers. Both clinics collaborate with other city-sponsored and private organizations to assist a vulnerable population in accessing the health care system.

Homeless Health Care
The Health Care for the Homeless Program, offering health care services to persons who are homeless, is part of the Indigent Care Program managed by the Public Health Division (PHD). The center provides services ranging from primary care check-ups to immunization and testing. Referrals to specialists also are made as necessary. Mental health and substance abuse services are also available.

In addition to the primary service delivery location at 20 Portland Street, the program offers services from three other sites: the Preble Street Teen Center; The Barron Center (city-owned long term care facility); and the streets of Portland and other areas where homeless individuals congregate. All delivery sites are within the limits of the City of Portland. For more information call 874-8445.

Faces of Maine's Safety Net - A photo essay produced by the Maine Primary Care Association. A series of essays describing the role of Maine's Primary Care Safety Net through the images and voices of its patients.