National Public Health Performance Standards Program

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Public Health Performance Standards Program is a National Partnership initiative that has developed National Public Health Performance Standards for state and local public health systems and for public health governing bodies. Among other guidance, the National Public Health Performance Standards that are designed to describe public health activities that should be undertaken in all communities.

These "10 Essential Services of Public Health” include:

1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.
4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems.
5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
8. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce.
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.

For more information about the National Public Health Performance Standards, please visit:

CDC: National Public Health Performance Standards Program (NPHPSP)

National Association of County and City Health Officials: National Public Health Performance Standards Program (NPHPSP)