10 Essential Services of Public Health

Institute of Medicine (IOM) The Future of Public Health 1988 “The Nation has lost sight of its public health goals and has allowed the system of public health to fall into ‘disarray’” “We have slackened our public health vigilance nationally, and the health of the public is unnecessarily threatened as a result.”

The Future of Public Health: Recommendations (1988) MISSION: …assuring conditions in which people can be healthy

The Future of Public Health: Recommendations (1988) GOVERNMENTAL ROLE: Assessment Policy Development Assurance **core functions became de facto framework delineating the practice of public health at both state and local levels -no citizen from any community, nor matter how small or remote, should be without identifiable and realistic access to the benefits of public health protection, which is possible only through a local component of the public health delivery system.

Public Health Functions Working Group 1994 Established by DHHS Defined more concrete set of activities-10 Essential Public Health Services Provide the foundation for the nation’s public health strategy Healthy People 2010 objectives regarding infrastructure Development of National Public Health Performance Standards Stimulated by the potential to include public health in the then active discussion about national health care reform and the clear need to develop a more descriptive framework describing public health, the US Public Health Service convened a national workgroup. The workgroup was chaired by the Surgeon General and included reps from most PHS agencies and national public health organziations.

Assessment Monitor health status to identify community health problems Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community

Policy Development Inform, educate and empower people about health issues Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts

Assurance Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population-based health services

Serving all functions Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems

8 Statutorily Mandated Functions: Public Health Statistics-participation in mechanism for collection, tabulation, analysis and reporting for health jurisdiction served Health Education-public and professional information and education with emphasis on prevention Nutritional Services-nutrition program including appropriate activities in education and consultation for promotion of positive health , prevention of ill health, and dietary control of disease Maternal and Child Health-comprehensive plan for maternal and child health services to include prenatal, childbearing and reproductive care, family planning, child and adolescent health, child abuse, genetic disease control Communicable and Chronic Disease Control-preventive services including immunization, screening, referral for treatment, prevention and control of vision, hearing, dental problems Environmental Services-water, food, air, wastes, vectors, housing, bathing places, safety, noise, toxic hazards, nuisances Community Nursing Services-Provision of community nursing Emergency Medical Services-provision for development and implementation of an emergency medical service system including identification of primary services, mutual aid and mass casualty plans, participation in regional planning