Blog Post
ASTHO Annual Meeting: A Conversation about Public Health Department Accreditation
NewPublicHealth spoke with John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH, Secretary of Health for the state of Washington, about the benefits of accreditation to ...
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The national accreditation program sets more than two dozen standards of quality and performance that focus on the best and most efficient ways to help people stay healthy. Recently, five more health departments received accreditation, bringing the total to 19.
Chicago is one of the first major cities to achieve public health department accreditation. NewPublicHealth recently spoke with Bechara Choucair, MD, MS, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, about the value of accreditation for improving the health of the community.
Getting to accreditation is challenging. Among other requirements, health departments need to take part in training from the Public Health Accreditation Board, provide extensive documentation, and undergo a site visit.
Oklahoma Health Commissioner Terry Cline explains what accreditation means for his state, and beyond.
Read the interviewPublic health departments play a critical role in our everyday lives, but until recently there was no nationwide system to ensure their quality and accountability. Accreditation establishes rigorous, measurable standards, challenges health departments to meet them, and recognizes those who do.