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Reshaping Public Health Overview:

RESHAPING GOVERNMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH IN WASHINGTON STATE

We are in an era of unprecedented change—and opportunity. The governmental public health system is undergoing the most substantive transformation in decades—the recession is taking a severe toll; the system has led the response to the first influenza pandemic in over 40 years; and national health reform will change how public health relates to the health care system.

We as public health leaders must step up, work together, and design the public health system we need—with the resources we have. Let me be clear: I believe that there will be few opportunities for additional funds in the foreseeable future. That makes the task of reshaping public health all the more critical and timely.

In February 2010 I appointed a workgroup to consider what this transformation means to the governmental public health system over the next five years. The charge to the work group, referred to as Reshaping Governmental Public Health in Washington State, was to:

  • Draft a public health change agenda that will increase our emphasis and focus on key statewide/system issues that are responsive to our changing environment

  • Draft a shared set of guiding principles and decision criteria to consider on policy, program, and funding decisions

  • Draft a communication plan to engage others in the system and our partners in order to refine and reach agreement on the agenda and principles

The workgroup has produced the following information as a starting point for the broader discussion. I invite you to join in the work now—to engage in the dialogue, shape the future, and be part of the change.

      

Mary C. Selecky

Secretary of Health