Public Health 101
 About
Essential Services
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The Steering
Committee developed the framework for the Essential Services in
1994. This steering committee included representatives from US
Public Health Service agencies and other major public health
organizations. The Essential Services provide a working definition
of public health and a guiding framework for the responsibilities of
local public health systems.
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The National Public Health Performance
Standards Program provides state and local public health systems
with a tool improve the quality of public health practice and
performance of public health systems using the 10 Essential Public
Health Services as the framework.
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The National Association of City and County
Health Officials developed the operational definition of a local
public health agency that describes what all people,
regardless of where they live, should reasonably expect from their
local health department.
Core
Public Health Functions
The Core Public Health Functions
and key activities are identified below. The list is not intended to
be comprehensive but rather it provides examples of areas addressed by each
component.
Assessment
This
function includes the regular collection, analysis and sharing of
health information about risks and resources in a community. The
purpose of it is to identify trends in illness, injury, and
death including the factors that lead to these conditions.
Policy Development
Information collected during the assessment phase is often used to
develop state health policies. Good public policy development
involves the community and takes into account political, organizational, and community values.
Assurance
This
function includes the assurance of the availability of quality and
educational programs and services necessary to achieve the
agreed-upon goals.
10
Essential Public Health Services
1. Monitor health status to identify community
health problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and
health hazards in the community.
3. Inform, educate, and empower people about
health issues.
4. Mobilize community partnerships to identify
and solve health problems.
5. Develop policies and plans that support
individual and community health efforts.
6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect
health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to needed personal health
services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise
unavailable.
8. Assure a competent public health and
personal health care workforce.
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and
quality of personal and population-based health services.
10. Research for new insights and innovative
solutions to health problems.
Public
Health Partners
According to the Institute of Medicine (2002), there are five major
actors who, together with government health agencies, are in a
position to act in a powerful manner to improve and protect the
nation's health.
 Contributions
The
major actors contribute to the essential public services in numerous
ways. For example, government monitors health and enforces
laws, health care can aid in public health surveillance and
assessment of community health status. Communities can be
engaged in policy development and local participation.
Academia helps to inform people about importance and play a
substantial role in educating the workforce by conducting research
and evaluation. Business employers have the opportunity to
promote health safety of employees. Mass media can help to
inform, and empower the public about important issues.
The
figure left depicts the intersectoral public system. The colored
ovals represent actors who individually or collectively as part of a
public system. The white ovals indicate other sectors that the
Institute of Medicine committee did not elect.
Relevant
Links
http://www.cdc.gov/od/ocphp/nphpsp/PresentationLinks.htm
http://www.naccho.org/pubs/product1.cfm?Product_ID=9
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