A snapshot of state public health: Selected findings from a survey of state public health agencies

In 2007, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) surveyed state public health agencies to collect data on the structure, activities, and responsibilities of state public health. The survey contained questions related to the central functions of state public health agencies: activities, personnel, organizational structure, scope of work, financing, planning and quality improvement, agency mission, relationship with local public health agencies, partnership and collaboration, emergency preparedness structure, and performance activities.

The findings of this survey will help create the foundation for a comprehensive database of state public health agency functions and services, serving as a resource to policy makers, state public health agencies, public health partners, and public health researchers. This database will assist in identifying best practices and be used to provide technical assistance to state health departments. Survey findings will also provide evidence to inform policy decisions and provide researchers with a launch point to initiate further research into the public health systems across our nation, including further analysis between infrastructure and health outcomes.

This presentation will describe select survey findings on the structure, activities, and responsibilities of state public health and describe how the collected data will aid in projecting policy, infrastructure, workforce, resource and leadership needs as well as inform the Voluntary National Public Health Accreditation Program.