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Part 3, Chapter 11: Manual Exhibit 3-11.A

The Ten Essential Public Health Services

Monitor health status to identify community problems.  This service is accomplished by the collection of health-related data that measures the health status of a specified population.  The collected data is organized to identify health status, risk factors and resource needs associated with the population.

Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.  A system is in place to identify and respond to public health threats.  This could include infectious disease outbreaks, chronic disease prevalence, injury incidence, environmental contamination, and the occurrence of man-made or natural disasters.

Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.  Affected populations are given a voice in public health decisions through health communications, partnerships, health education, and health promotion initiatives that are based on evidence of effectiveness.

Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems.  Practices include community engagement, constituency development, and partnership mobilization.

Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.  Health improvement planning and policy development are based on health status information, public input, analysis of policy options, and recommended actions based on proven or promising interventions.

Support laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.  Assures that laws and regulations are based on current public health science and best practice.  Collaboration is emphasized between regulators, enforcers, and those obligated to obey the laws and regulations.

Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.  Assess the availability and utilization of personal and environmental health care services and work collaboratively to assure comprehensive access to health systems.

Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce.  Supports training, continuing education and professional development of the public health workforce to assure the effective delivery of services.

Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.  An evaluation process is planned and implemented that identifies the strengths, weaknesses and gaps with the goal of improving public health in the community.

Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.  Contribute to public health science by funding and participating in activities that address new insights in the practice of field-based public health.


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