The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68592

Knachelle R. Hodge, MPH¹, Matthew Boulton, MD², and LaKesha M. Robinson, MPH¹. (1) Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, 2872 Woodcock Boulevard, Suite 303, Atlanta, GA 30341, (770)458-3811, khodge@cste.org, (2) Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, The University of Michigan, 109 Observatory St., 1009 SPH I, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

As a part of its cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) conducted an assessment of state and territorial health departments core and infectious disease epidemiology capacity. A 108-question survey was developed by an expert advisory workgroup to provide baseline data for the status of epidemiology capacity in US states and territories. The assessment, formatted around the Ten Essential Public Health Services, examines the resources available for building a solid public health epidemiology infrastructure and infectious disease specific capacity. Of the fifty-six states and territories invited to participate, forty-four (79%) provided responses between November 2001 and April 2002. Findings from the assessment include: not enough monetary support for building a solid public health infrastructure, and vast disparities in the epidemiology workforce, including too few epidemiologists and wide variability in salary scales and degree levels. Also, although there are more epidemiologists serving in infectious disease epidemiology than any other program area, most states report not being able to fully execute the 10 essential services with their current resources, both in personnel and finances. Recommendations proposed from the assessment include: increased overall epidemiology capacity in state and territorial health departments, periodical assessment to monitor the progress in building epidemiology capacity across the nation, and standardization of resources between states and territories.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion, of the session participants will be able to:
• Describe the purpose of the epidemiology capacity assessment;
• Recognize the national core and infectious disease epidemiology capacity needs and
• Articulate the epidemiology capacity needs to others within their public health agencies.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Workforce

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.