| The 1988 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report, The Future of Public Health, found that governmental public health system was in disarray and prompted national discussion about the state of public health and the steps necessary to strengthen its role and capacity. Since 1988, much as changed in public health practice. Many of these changes reflect progress in the science of population-level health improvement and the emergence of innovative collaborations with the private sector and communities, and among federal, state and local public health entities. Within the public health community, significant organizational advances have been made. For example, broad consensus has been reached regarding the ten essential public health services, and national health goals have been refined as part of the Health People 2010. At the same time, the broader environment in which public health is practiced is undergoing radical transformation. Additionally, bioterrorism poses unprecedented challenges to American health.
In recognition of these challenges and opportunities, six DHHS agencies commissioned the IOM to convene a committee charged with the creation of a more inclusive framework and recommendations for assuring the health of the public in the 21st Century. By providing this framework, the report seeks to:
. enhance understanding about the core purposes, functions and roles of public health and other relevant sectors in improving health outcomes for all;
. crystallize knowledge about the conditions under which improvements in population-level health occurs and how to affect those conditions;
. set an agenda for scientifically credible research that informs efforts to improve population-level health outcomes and also fits the complex, adaptive systems in which population-level health occurs;
. provide evidence-based recommendations for improving practice and the broader conditions that affect population-level health outcomes;
. address the capacity and workforce needed to supporftr improvements in population-level health;
. inform more strategic investments by grantmakers for population-level health improvement; and,
. promote engagement in the civic work of building healthier communities bya broad array of sectors, organizations and people.
This presentation will describe the study and the IOM committee's findings and recommendations will be presented and discussed. This committee was co-chaired by Drs. Jo Ivey Boufford (Dean, Robert F. Wagner Granduate School of Public Serice, New York University) and Christine Cassel (Dean of the School of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs, Oregon Health and Science University). |
