Key Definitions
Capacity
Adequate epidemiological capacity was defined as the state health department’s ability to lead activities; provide subject-matter expertise; and apply for, receive, and manage resources to conduct key activities.
EPHS 1
Essential Public Health Service #1: ‘Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets’
Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). 10 Essential Public Health Services.
EPHS 2
Essential Public Health Service #2: ‘Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population’
Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). 10 Essential Public Health Services.
EPHS 9
Essential Public Health Service #9: Improve and innovate public health functions through ongoing evaluation, research, and continuous quality improvement’
Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). 10 Essential Public Health Services.
Reference: Last, J. M. (Ed.) (2001). A Dictionary of Epidemiology (4 ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press, Inc.
Essential Public Health Services (EPHS)
The 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) serve to “provide a framework for public health to protect and promote the health of all people in all communities” (CDC, 2024) The ECA utilizes the EPHS most closely related to epidemiology (EPHS 1, 2 and 9) to assess capacity in state health departments.
Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). 10 Essential Public Health Services.
Levels Of Capacity
Health departments are asked to rate their capacity to deliver the EPHS in a range from none to full capacity. None to minimal reflects 0 – 24% adequate epidemiology capacity to provide the EPHS; partial reflects 25-49% epidemiology capacity and substantial to full includes 50 – 100% capacity.