Essential Service #2:
Diagnose and Investigate Health Problems
and Health Hazards in the Community

Diagnosing and Investigating Health Problems and Health Hazards in the Community is the term used to describe the large number of surveillance, planning and response activities that focus on the role of public health before, during and after critical and emergency situations.  Addressing this Essential Service will involve the coordination and cooperation of emergency planners, first responders, local governments and health and human service providers.

 

Why is it a Priority?

According to the Local Public Health Assessment Tool, Essential Service #2, Diagnose and Investigate Health Problems and Health Hazards received an overall score of 57 out of a maximum score of 100.

Planning for Public Health Emergencies, which was one of four indicators used to assess the community’s level of readiness for diagnosing and investigating health problems, received a score of 72. Investigating and responding to public health emergencies, which was a second indicator in this category, received a score of 53.

Despite the relatively high overall score that Essential Service #2, Diagnosing and Investigating Health Problems and Health Hazards, received on the Local Public Health Assessment Tool, the SSCHC partnership felt strongly that the seven SSCHC communities still face critical needs related to public health emergency planning and response. This consensus was the basis for including this Essential Service as one of the SSCHC’s top four priorities.