PUBLIC HEALTH CORE FUNCTIONS and 10 ESSENTIAL SERVICES
The following core functions of public health and ten essential services provide the framework for all activities of the department:
Core Function 1 – Assessment
Assessment, monitoring, and surveillance of local health problems and needs, and of resources for dealing with them.
- Essential Service #1 – Monitor health status and understand health issues facing the community
- Essential Service #2 – Protect people from health problems and health hazards
Core Function 2 – Policy Development
Policy development and leadership that fosters local involvement and a sense of ownership that emphasizes local needs and that advocates equitable distribution of public resources and complementary private activities commensurate with community needs.
- Essential Service #3 – Give people the information they need to make healthy choices
- Essential Service #4 – Engage the community to identify and solve health problems
- Essential Service #5 – Develop public health policies and plans
Core Function 3 – Assurance
Assurance that high-quality services, including personal health services, needed for protection of public health in the community are available and accessible to all persons; that the community receives proper consideration in the allocation of federal, state and local resources for public health; and that the community is informed about how to obtain public health, including personal health services, or how to comply with public health requirements.
- Essential Service #6 – Enforce public health law and regulations
- Essential Service #7 – Help people receive health services
- Essential Service #8 – Maintain a competent public health workforce
- Essential Service #9 – Evaluate and improve programs
Core Function 4 – System Management
- Essential Service #10 – Contribute to and apply the evidence base of public health
