Public Health in Action: A Look at the Public Health Institute at Denver Health’s 2024 Impact
March 31, 2025
Each April, public health organizations across the United States celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW) to share how public health creates healthier, thriving communities. The Public Health Institute at Denver Health (PHIDH) is dedicated to improving health through both clinical care and community-focused services.
We believe in the power of collaboration with partners at Denver Health, our safety net health system, and our community. Our partnerships drive progress in public health locally, regionally and nationally. In celebration of NPHW, we are excited to spotlight our divisions and clinics with key highlights from 2024.
Community Health Promotion Division
The Community Health Promotion Division (CHPD) drives sustainable health improvements by leading collaborations, influencing policies, and delivering innovative programs that address community needs. CHPD also provides evaluation and project management support to its partners.
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Led and supported 30 projects, driving collaborations that change policy, systems, and environments. Examples include the Healthy Beverage Partnership and Family Connects. Invested more than $1 million back into our communities through paid partnerships with community-based organizations and community members, local vendor contracts, training scholarships for community partners, and stipends for program participants. |
Learn more about the Community Health Promotion Division
Community Sexual Health Outreach
Community Sexual Health offers free, confidential STI, HIV, and hepatitis C testing in a safe, welcoming space. Our team of caring professionals provides personalized, sex-positive care and ensures accessibility, with services also available in Spanish.
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Improved patient access and engagement by streamlining appointment systems and expanding walk-in availability. Strengthened community connections by increasing visibility and availability of health care services. |
Learn more about Community Sexual Health
Data Science and Informatics
The Data Science and Informatics (DSI) team supports PHIDH, the Center for Addiction Medicine, and Denver Health by providing expert analytics, data management, and insights that drive research, improve operations, and enhance health care outcomes.
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Generated more than 2,500 reports to support clinical operations, enhance patient care and treatment and guide leadership decision-making. To meet the growing need for advanced analytics and process improvement in public health clinics, DSI launched SPEAR (Strategic Projects and Evaluation Activities Resource). This initiative supported major enhancements in Colorado-wide HPV surveillance, resulting in a public-facing interactive dashboard that provides up-to-date immunization data. The dashboard has been officially incorporated into the State Cancer Plan resource list. |
Learn more about Data Science and Informatics or the Colorado HPV Data Immunization Summary dashboard
Denver Prevention Training Center
The Denver Prevention Training Center (DPTC) builds the capacity of public health and community professionals and their organizations to provide a wide range of health services.
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In partnership with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and funded by the STOP STD grant, DPTC is also launching a mentoring program for new sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV public health directors at local and tribal health departments.
Learn more about the Denver Prevention Training Center
Denver Sexual Health Clinic
The Denver Sexual Health Clinic offers low-cost, confidential testing and treatment for STIs and HIV with a focus on health and well-being in a supportive, respectful environment.
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Launched Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (Doxy PEP), providing a critical tool to prevent STIs and improve patient outcomes. Assisted enhanced syphilis testing for pregnant women in Denver Health’s emergency and urgent care settings through new testing protocols to improve early detection, treatment, and reduce syphilis and congenital syphilis. |
Learn more about the Denver Sexual Health Clinic
Immunization and Travel Clinic
The Immunization and Travel Clinic offers confidential vaccination services for children, adults, and travelers of all ages, both in the clinic and at community events. The clinic ensures everyone receives routine and recommended vaccines. The clinic also provides pre-travel services, including vaccinations and health consultations, in-person or via telehealth.
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Received a 97% patient satisfaction rate. Hosted nine in-school immunization clinics in Denver Public Schools (DPS) for the 2024-25 school year to date, serving 412 DPS students and administering 1,987 vaccines. |
Learn more about the Immunization Clinic
Infectious Diseases Clinic
The Infectious Diseases Clinic offers specialized care for people living with HIV, including primary care and treatment. The clinic also provides care for a range of serious infections, including a dedicated Hepatitis C clinic, working to improve the health and well-being of the community.
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Launched a drop-in clinic offering comprehensive case management support; nearly 80% of patients achieved an undetectable HIV viral load. Continually expanding injectable HIV treatment services with more than 160 patients receiving injectable HIV medications. |
Learn more about the Infectious Diseases Clinic and HIV Clinical Services
Tuberculosis Clinic
The Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic offers evaluation, treatment, and TB prevention services across seven counties in the Denver metro area: Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, Jefferson, Boulder, and Broomfield. The team offers support for patients and families, conducts contact investigations and contributes to TB research and education. Clinical consultations are also provided to health care providers throughout the western US.
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Treated 86 patients with active TB, representing over 80% of patients treated in Colorado, and 409 individuals with TB infection to prevent future disease. Reached 158 enrollees in a clinical trial of shortened treatment for TB prevention as part of the international TB Trials Consortium, the highest enrollment of any single site. |
Learn more about the Tuberculosis Clinic
We're always eager to collaborate with new partners to build healthier futures. Reach out to us at PHIDHpartnerships@dhha.org. Together we can have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of those we serve.
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