3 Core Functions / 10 Essential Services

Question 1

Essential Public Health Service #1

Answer 1

Assess and monitor population health status,
factors that influence health, and community
needs and assets

Question 2

What services does the essential public health service #1 provide?

Answer 2

~Using data and information to
determine the root causes of health
disparities and inequities

~Working with the community to
understand health status, needs, assets,
key influences, and narrative

~Collaborating and facilitating data
sharing with partners, including multi-sector partners

Question 3

Essential public health service #2

Answer 3

Investigate, diagnose, and address health
problems and hazards affecting the
population

Question 4

What services does the essential public health service #2 provide?

Answer 4

~Monitoring real-time health status
and identifying patterns to develop
strategies to address chronic diseases
and injuries

~Using real-time data to identify
and respond to acute outbreaks,
emergencies, and other health hazards

~Using public health laboratory
capabilities and modern technology to
conduct rapid screening and high-volume
testing

Question 5

Essential public health service #3

Answer 5

Communicate effectively to inform and
educate people about health, factors that
influence it, and how to improve it

Question 6

What services does the essential public health service #3 provide?

Answer 6

~Developing and disseminating
accessible health information and
resources, including through collaboration
with multi-sector partners

~Communicating with accuracy and
necessary speed

~Using appropriate communications
channels (e.g., social media, peer-to-peer networks, mass media, and
other channels) to effectively reach the
intended populations

Question 7

Essential public health service #4

Answer 7

Strengthen, support, and mobilize
communities and partnerships to
improve health

Question 8

What services does the essential public health service #4 provide?

Answer 8

~Convening and facilitating multi-sector partnerships and coalitions that
include sectors that influence health
(e.g., planning, transportation, housing,
education, etc.)

~Fostering and building genuine,
strengths-based relationships with a
diverse group of partners that reflect the
community and the population

~Authentically engaging with community
members and organizations to develop
public health solutions

Question 9

Essential public health service #5

Answer 9

Create, champion, and implement policies,
plans, and laws that impact health

Question 10

What services does the essential public health service #5 provide?

Answer 10

~Examining and improving existing
policies, plans, and laws to correct
historical injustices

~Ensuring that policies, plans, and laws
provide a fair and just opportunity for
all to achieve optimal health

~Providing input into policies, plans,
and laws to ensure that health impact is
considered

Question 11

Essential public health service #6

Answer 11

Utilize legal and regulatory actions designed
to improve and protect the public’s health

Question 12

What services does the essential public health service #6 provide?

Answer 12

~Licensing and monitoring the quality
of healthcare services (e.g., laboratory,
nursing homes, and home healthcare)

~Reviewing new drug, biologic, and
medical device applications

~Licensing and credentialing the
healthcare workforce

Question 13

Essential public health service #7

Answer 13

Assure an effective system that enables
equitable access to the individual services
and care needed to be healthy

Question 14

What services does the essential public health service #7 provide?

Answer 14

~Connecting the population to needed
health and social services that support
the whole person, including preventive
services

~Ensuring access to high-quality and
cost-effective healthcare and social
services, including behavioral and mental
health services, that are culturally and
linguistically appropriate

~Engaging health delivery systems to
assess and address gaps and barriers
in accessing needed health services,
including behavioral and mental health

Question 15

Essential public health service #8

Answer 15

Build and support a diverse and skilled public
health workforce

Question 16

What services does the essential public health service #8 provide?

Answer 16

~Ensuring that the public health
workforce is the appropriate size to
meet the public’s needs

~Building a culturally competent public
health workforce and leadership that
reflects the community and practices
cultural humility

~Incorporating public health principles in
non-public health curricula

Question 17

Essential public health service #9

Answer 17

Improve and innovate public health functions
through ongoing evaluation, research, and
continuous quality improvement

Question 18

What services does the essential public health service #9 provide?

Answer 18

~Linking public health research with
public health practice

~Using research, evidence, practice-based insights, and other forms of information to inform decision-making

~Contributing to the evidence base of
effective public health practice

Question 19

Essential public health service #10

Answer 19

Build and maintain a strong organizational
infrastructure for public health

Question 20

What services does the essential public health service #10 provide?

Answer 20

~Ensuring that appropriate, needed
resources are allocated equitably for the
public’s health

~Exhibiting effective and ethical
leadership, decision-making, and
governance

~Managing financial and human
resources effectively

Question 21

What are the 3 core functions?

Answer 21

assessment
policy development
assurance