IMPROVING OUR HEALTH BY IMPROVING OUR SYSTEM - TRANSITIONS IN PUBLIC-HEALTH

Although the progress of health reform has slowed, our health systems are undergoing major transitions. Public health, as a partner in facilitating those transitions, has an opportunity to place on the political and social agenda the importance of improving population health status. The public health system in the state of Washington, through a partnership process, has developed a plan that articulates a vision and strategy for healthier people through a population-based approach. This plan, the Public Health Improvement Plan, defines specific standards and outcomes for improved health and performance measures for assuring accountability.