Role of the Local Public Health Department Michele Belovich-Faust, RN, MPH Director of Health Care Initiatives Lehigh Valley Hospital Ann Ligi, BA, MPH, CHES Epidemiologist Bethlehem Health Bureau

This lecture is one of series produced by the Allegheny County Health Department (PA), Bethlehem Health Bureau (PA) and the City of Elizabeth Department of Health & Human Services (NJ). The organizers of this project are scholars in the Northeast Regional Public Health Leadership Institute, Class of For information contact:

August, 1998 Michele Belovich-Faust -Director of Health Care Initiatives, Lehigh Valley Hospital -BS, Nursing, Cedar Crest College -MPH, Community Health, East Stroudsburg University Michele Belovich-Faust has had experience in infection control, employee health and school nursing. She has been in the health care field for the past 20 years; and has served in an administrative role for 15. She recently served as the Health Director for the City of Bethlehem and the Director of University Health Services at East Stroudsburg University. She was recently listed as an “Honored Professional” in the National Register for Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals.

August, 1998 Ann Ligi -Epidemiologist, Bethlehem Health Bureau -BA, Psychology, East Stroudsburg State College -MPH, Community Health, East Stroudsburg University -CHES, Certified Health Education Specialist Ann Ligi has worked in the human services field in government, community-based organizations and educational settings for over 15 years. She has extensive administrative management experience in the areas of delivery of services and strategic planning. At the bureau, she designs systems for program data collection and analysis, and related program and policy development.

August, 1998 LEARNING OBJECTIVES To define public health To understand the 3 core functions of public health To learn about the national public health plan To understand the role of a local public health department

August, 1998 PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Be able to define public health List the 3 core functions of public health Know what the national public health plan is Know the role of a local public health department

WHAT IS PUBLIC HEALTH? PREVENTING DISEASE PROLONGING LIFE IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE ELIMINATING HEALTH DISPARITIES ORGANIZING COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE ABOVE “ Public health is what we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions for people to be healthy.” IOM

CHANGING FOCUS OF PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICABLE DISEASES CHRONIC DISEASES & INJURIES From to

HEALTH & WELL BEING Physical Mental Emotional Spiritual Vocational Environmental Economic Social COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF HEALTH TODAY

NEED FOR A NATIONAL HEALTH PLAN 1979 – HEALTHY PEOPLE REPORT Healthy People 1990 Healthy People 2000 Healthy People 2010

National Health Plan (cont’d.) Healthy People 1990 Three main categories: Preventive Health Services Health Promotion Health Protection

National Health Plan (cont’d.) Healthy People 2000 Three main goals: Increase the span of healthy life Reduce health status disparities Provide access to preventive health services for all

National Health Plan (cont’d.) Healthy People 2010 Two main goals: Increase quality and years of healthy life Eliminate health disparities

PUBLIC HEALTH IN AMERICA Healthy People in Healthy CommunitiesVision: Mission: Promote Physical and Mental Health and Prevent Disease, Injury, and Disability

Monitor health status to identify community health problems Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues TEN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES Healthy People in Healthy Communities

Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts TEN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES (cont’d.) Healthy People in Healthy Communities

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 TEN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES (cont’d.) Healthy People in Healthy Communities

Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems TEN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES (cont’d.)

SIX PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSIBILITIES Prevents epidemics and the spread of disease Protects against environmental hazards Prevents injuries Healthy People in Healthy Communities

Promotes and encourages healthy behaviors Responds to disasters and assists communities in recovery Assures the quality and accessibility of health services Healthy People in Healthy Communities SIX PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSIBILITIES (cont’d.)

Core functions of a government public health agency: Assessment Leadership Assurance

COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES Core Function #1: Assessment of a community’s problems, needs and resources 1. Health needs assessment 2. Data and surveillance NCHS

COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES Core Function #2: Leadership in organizing effective public & private sector strategies to address community health problems Through: 3. Programs designed to meet community needs

COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES Core Function #3: Assurance that direct services necessary for meeting local health goals are available to ALL Community residents Through: 4. Community health services which include screenings, education, prevention and outreach

Municipal/County government Federal/State government International Health Organizations

Hospitals Clinics Managed Care Public/Private Providers, Foundations, Institutes, & Associations Schools FAMILY CENTERS Public Health

All levels of government Business Industry Education Managed Care & Other Providers Citizens