People depend on the governmental public health system to respond to
public health threats and prevent costly health problems that cause
illness or death. Every resident and visitor, throughout the state,
should be assured that the public health system is working to protect
their health at all times. The Standards for Public Health in
Washington State provide a common, consistent and accountable
approach to assuring that basic health protection is in place.
Standards for Public Health in Washington State were developed in a
collaborative process involving more than 100 public health
professionals who work at state and local health departments. They
shared their scientific knowledge and practical experience to define
standards for the governmental public health system.
The standards were revised in 2006 and published in 2007. They cover 12
key aspects of public health:
Community Health Assessment
Communication
Community Involvement
Monitoring Public Health Threats
Responding to Public Health Emergencies
Prevention and Health Education
Addressing Gaps in Critical Health Services
Program Planning and Evaluation
Financial Management Systems
Human Resource Systems
Information Systems
Leadership and Governance