Online Program

323685
Oregon's Public Health System Transformation: Findings from the Future of Public Health Task Force


Wednesday, November 4, 2015 : 9:06 a.m. - 9:18 a.m.

Lillian Shirley, BSN, MPH, MPA, Oregon Public Health Division, Portland, OR

Charlie Fautin, MPH, RN, Public Health Division, Benton County Health Department, Corvallis, OR
Carrie Brogoitti, MPH, Center for Human Development, La Grande, OR
The legislatively mandated Oregon Task Force on Future of Public Health Services was created in 2013 with the directive of providing recommendations for the future of public health in Oregon that create a public health system for the future, enhance efficiency and effectiveness of public health services, promote partnerships with local health care providers and community organizations, and are supported by best practices. 

With the advent of health care transformation there is increased awareness about the need to address health issues before they begin – to focus on prevention of illness. In addition, with 95% of Oregonians being covered by insurance plans the focus of public health shifts from safety net services to policy, systems and environmental change. The role of public health is to promote interventions for the entire population that are prevention focused. Preventing disease before it happens will result in significant cost savings to the health care delivery system. The current situation for public health in Oregon is inhibiting the ability of public health agencies to achieve a population-wide focus on prevention. 

After 9 months of deliberation, the task force made recommendations to modernize Oregon's public health system. Recommendations included the adoption of a defined set of foundational capabilities and programs in all public health agencies for the public health system to function efficiently and effectively; significant and sustained state funding for the governmental public health system; local public health flexibility when operationalizing foundational capabilities and programs; and establishment of state and local population health outcome metrics.  

Through this presentation, participants will learn how this proposed modernization of Oregon's public health system will better serve the health needs of everyone in Oregon through better integration of governmental public health with a transforming health care system and improved coordination and clarity of roles between local and state health agencies.

Learning Areas:

Administration, management, leadership
Public health administration or related administration
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Describe the public health funding situation in Oregon and provide examples of the foundational capabilities and programs for public recommended for adoption by the Oregon Task Force on Future of Public Health Services Identify how the proposed modernization of Oregon's public health system will better serve the health needs of everyone in Oregon and how implementation of this policy will promote integration of governmental public health with a transforming health care system and improved coordination and clarity of roles between local and state health agencies.

Keyword(s): Public Policy, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Lillian Shirley is the Director for the Oregon Public Health Division. She has been a local and national leader in advancing public health and in Oregon’s effort to transform the state’s health system. She helped launch one of the first Coordinated Care Organizations in Oregon. She also served as the vice-chair of the Oregon Health Policy Board playing a vital role in the state’s move toward a health care system that works better for all.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.