Overview

The development of a systematic method of measuring public health activity within a community is significant in addressing health disparities and public health concerns. A 1988 Institute of Medicine's report (updated in 2001), provided the public health community with the Three Core Functions of Public Health (Assessment, Policy Development, Assurance) and the Ten Essential Public Health Services that serve as the foundation of the National Public Health Performance Standards Program (NPHPSP).

The NPHPSP is an assessment tool developed to measure public health infrastructure and capacity of public health systems. Implementing the NPHPSP provides numerous benefits, including:

Providing performance standards for boards of health
Collecting systematic data
Improving quality improvement
Developing a strong science-base for public health practice.

There are three NPHPSP instruments: State, Local, and Governance. NALBOH will promote and support boards of health in the use of the Governance Instrument. Implementation of the Governance Instrument will strengthen the infrastructure and capacity of boards of health to promote health in the community.

NPHPSP: National Partnerships

NPHPSP: Tools and Resources

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For more information from NALBOH, please contact Yolanda Savage-Narva.

Page updated 7/22/2010.