Oral

Health departments are the front lines of the nation’s public health system, providing critical services to promote and protect health. As current fiscal and political pressures force health departments to expand their reach with fewer resources, efficient and effective use of those resources is imperative. In addition, health departments are under increasing pressure to demonstrate how investments in the public health infrastructure contribute to improved population health. The National Public Health Improvement Initiative (NPHII), administered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with APHA, ASTHO, NACCHO, NNPHI, and PHF, aims to strengthen state, tribal, local and territorial health departments’ performance management capacity and improve their ability to meet national public health standards. NPHII grantees receive training, tools, and technical/capacity building assistance to develop and enhance systems and adopt evidence‐based practices that drive improved service delivery and advance health outcomes. This session will highlight promising practices and early lessons learned from NPHII, as well as present preliminary evaluation results. Panelists will include representatives from health departments and national public health organizations.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe the National Public Health Improvement Initiative and identify the agencies involved. 2. Identify efforts to encourage the adoption of performance management in health departments. 3. Discuss best and promising practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness employed by public health agencies.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)