Tennessee Department of Health briefs House committee on services, flags falling vaccination coverage and rural priorities

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Ralph Alvarado told the House Health Full Committee on Oct. 24, 2025, the department runs primary-care clinics, dental clinics and a broad slate of public-health programs across the state and is prioritizing rural access, maternal-child initiatives and vaccination outreach.

Alvarado opened a 30-minute overview by saying, “I have the privilege to represent the best department in state government, the Tennessee Department of Health,” and told lawmakers the department’s mission is “to protect, promote and improve the health and the well‑being” of Tennesseans. He described the department’s reach and staffing and urged legislative investment to improve statewide health rankings.

Why it matters: Alvarado and department officials described programs that touch millions of residents — primary care at county health departments, WIC, maternal and perinatal initiatives, oral-health expansions, disease surveillance and emergency response — and warned that declining vaccination coverage and rising vaping rates could reverse decades of gains against infectious disease.

Department scope and resources Dr. Alvarado said the department employs about 2,900 positions (about 2,700 full time and 214 part time) and this year’s operating…