Role of the Local Public Health Department

1. 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

2. 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 2000. For information contact: dcw01@health.state.ny.us

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 August, 1998

7. 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

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

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

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

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

12. 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

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

14. Vision: Healthy People in Healthy Communities Mission: Promote Physical and Mental Health and Prevent Disease, Injury, and Disability PUBLIC HEALTH IN AMERICA

15. Healthy People in Healthy Communities TEN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES • 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

24. 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

25. Healthy Community PublicHealth International Health Organizations COLLABORATION Municipal/County government Federal/State government

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

28. Healthy Community Business Industry Citizens LPHD All levels of government Managed Care & Other Providers Education