Greetings from PHAB:
Eliminating structural inequities and truly achieving health equity have been at the forefront of public health conversations recently. The COVID-19 pandemic cast a glaring light on the disparities that exist within communities and underscored how structural racism perpetuates health inequities. The need for a modern public health system that puts equity at its center has never been clearer.
There have been many efforts recently that have focused on advancing equity. As you may recall, PHAB’s current strategic plan includes a priority to “create and implement a comprehensive DEI strategy to address racism and inequity within PHAB, public health departments, and the public health sector.”
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Paul Kuehnert,
DNP, RN, FAAN
PHAB President & CEO
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This organizational priority, along with the specific recommendations of a commissioned paper prepared for our health equity “Think Tank” in 2019 has informed the next iteration of PHAB Standards & measures – Version 2022. Version 2022 emphasizes health equity consistent with the 10 Essential Public Health Services and infuses equity throughout all domains. Learn more about which measures emphasize equity in Version 2022 here and share your feedback on the measures by November 5.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation also convened a National Commission to Transform Public Health Data Systems in the spring of 2021. Its charge was to reimagine the systems and data needed to advance health equity. The report has just been released and it details three recommendations to transform public health data systems:
- Center health equity and well-being in narrative change
- Prioritize governance of our data infrastructure, putting equity at its center
- Ensure public health measurements capture and address structural racism and other inequities.
Learn more about the initiative and read the recommendations here.
Centering equity on all fronts in public health ensures our public health system works for all. Our efforts affirm our commitment to creating conditions where all members of our communities can live their healthiest lives.
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Upcoming Events
Nov. 8-10
Jan. 25-27
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PHAB Features
by Naomi Rich
by Paul Kuehnert and Ron Bialek
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Version 2022 Standards & Measures |
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Public vetting of Version 2022 of PHAB Standards & Measures is now open. Your input is crucial to ensuring that Version 2022 reflects the changing landscape of public health practice and incorporates important feedback from public health practitioners.
To share your feedback, visit the Version 2022 vetting webpage. There you will find the full draft of the Standards & Measures, as well as instructions for completing the survey. There are three different versions for review; you may elect to review any of them. There are also helpful resources to guide you through the vetting process. Vetting closes November 5.
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New Details about Pathways, PHAB's New Recognition Program
To foster performance improvement among Tribal, territorial, and local health departments, PHAB is developing the Pathways Recognition Program. Launching in 2022, Pathways will serve as another option for encouraging and recognizing eligible health departments as they progress in their performance improvement journeys. Pathways may be ideal for health departments that are not yet ready to apply for accreditation for reasons unique to the department, but still want to enhance performance improvement and other capabilities.
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Participate in Pathways Program Development
We are looking for 5-8 local, Tribal and/or territorial health departments to assist us in finalizing program elements related to training, readiness assessment and a learning community approach. Health departments participating in this phase of program development will receive:
- One scholarship to the Public Health Improvement Training (June 2022), virtual.
- PHAB review of documentation for up to 5 measures.
- Specialized training on how site visitors review documents.
The expected time commitment for each element varies from 1-8 hours. To participate in program development, please contact Jessica Solomon Fisher at jfisher@phnci.org.
To stay up to date on Pathways, sign-up for our mailing list here.
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New Accreditation Resource
PHAB has developed a new tip sheet to help health departments identify examples of COVID-19 documentation that could be aligned with PHAB requirements. As your department prepares for accreditation or reaccreditation, we encourage you to consider documentation from your COVID-19 response activities, such as testing, vaccination, communication, and education. If you have a question about using documentation, contact your Accreditation Specialist for more guidance.
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PHAB/PHNCI and the de Beaumont Foundation Announce Data on Workforce Needs
Public health is the foundation of American communities, but state and local health departments have been underfunded and understaffed, creating critical gaps in our public health infrastructure. In the last decade along, state and local health departments have lost 15% of their essential staff, hindering their ability to address community health challenges and be prepared for emergencies.
According to a new research brief produced by the de Beaumont Foundation and the Public Health National Center for Innovations (PHNCI), public health departments need nearly 80% more full-time equivalent positions just to meet basic health requirements. The brief emphasizes that additional staff, beyond the approximate 80,000 additional employees needed to provide core public health, would be needed to respond to emergencies like pandemics.
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PHAB at APHA 2021
Join us at the APHA 2021 Annual Meeting in-person and virtual Oct. 24-27. PHAB will be leading two sessions and hosting an in-person booth at the expo.
- Exploring Version 2022: PHAB's New National Standards and Measures | In-person and on demand Oct. 26 2-3:30 PM MT
- Determining Workforce Levels to Support Public Health | Virtual Oct. 26 12:30 PM MT
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NACCHO Request for Applications: MAPP Pilot Testing Phases 1&2
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is pleased to announce an opportunity for local and tribal health departments to apply to field test a selection of the materials, tools, and assessments from the newly revised Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) Framework. Through a competitive application process, NACCHO will select up to five (5) local and/or tribal health departments, providing each up to $20,000, to field test these materials.
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State Public Health Associations: Capacity Building Opportunity to Support LHDs
NACCHO is pleased to offer an opportunity for statewide public health associations to provide support for performance and community health improvement topics to local public health departments (LHDs).
The purpose of this opportunity is to advance the ability and role of statewide associations to support LHDs, particularly in efforts to build health department internal and external infrastructure, and systems and performance improvement capacity.
Requests will be accepted on a rolling basis until Friday, April 15, 2022, or until project funds are no longer available. Click here to review the opportunity. Click here to access the application.
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ASTHO STAR Center: Advancing S/THA Administrative and Organizational Capacity and Preparedness Consultant Opportunity
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, with support from CDC, is seeking services of one highly qualified consultant to research and develop comprehensive administrative and organizational indicators that support an organizational capacity peer assessment program for state and territorial health agencies. Through this opportunity, the consultant will:
- Provide subject matter expertise in identifying and implementing standards development, research methods to draft a final set of operational and defined capacity indicators through a comprehensive and collaborative process
- Co-prepare and facilitate workshops to gather input from a cross-functional advisory group
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Public Health Accreditation Board
1600 Duke Street, Suite 200 | Alexandria, VA 22314
P: 703-778-4549 |F: 703-778-4556 |E: info@phaboard.org
© 2021 | Public Health Accreditation Board
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