Alabama Department of Public Health

Health / Courts

Birth centers appeal ruling in regulation battle to Alabama Supreme Court

Plaintiffs asked the state's high court to review a January decision requiring hospital licenses, which they describe as burdensome overregulation.

Wesley Walter

March 25, 2026

Health committee votes against ER doctor staffing transparency effort

Committee members cited projected financial burdens when voting against legislation to require that hospitals publicize their ER physician availability.

Wesley Walter

February 26, 2026

House committee passes bill to grant ADPH oversight of food services conditions within Alabama prisons

Legislators moved to grant state health officials enforcement power over prison sanitation after reports revealed one facility operated without hot water for several weeks.

Alex Jobin

February 26, 2026

Senate unanimously advances bill aligning sickle cell commission with ADPH

The Senate unanimously passed bill extending sickle cell commission and placing it within the Department of Public Health to expand statewide access.

Mary Claire Wooten

January 21, 2026

Alabama appeals court: State can regulate birth centers as hospitals

The birthing centers plan to fight the ruling up to the Alabama Supreme Court.

Jacob Holmes

January 12, 2026

Alabama recognizes National Rural Health Day

State agencies honored Dr. William Curry for his dedication to rural healthcare, highlighting his role in establishing medical school pipeline programs.

Wesley Walter

November 21, 2025

Saraland designated as second healthy Alabama community in state

The city exceeded requirements through initiatives focused on physical activity, nutrition access, and breastfeeding support.

November 7, 2025

Bill to bolster abstinence-only sex education reintroduced for 2026

The proposed legislation aims to expand public sex education's emphasis on abstinence, requiring K-12 initiatives to exclusively teach sexual risk avoidance.

Wesley Walter

July 1, 2025

Department of Public Health warns of suspected measles case in Lee County

Dr. Karen Landers said people “can protect themselves and others by ensuring that all eligible persons are vaccinated."

Chance Phillips

June 9, 2025

Madison schedules second public hearing on water fluoridation decision

Madison, Alabama, wants to stop water fluoridation due to safety and cost concerns, but this has sparked mixed public reactions and opposition.

Mary Claire Wooten

May 13, 2025