Problem Statement Explanation for Case Study Project
Please create and submit a paragraph summarizing your problem or issue that you will be
focusing on for your Case Study Project. Utilize the following “problem statement” as an
example for guidance in developing your own paragraph. Please note the following critical
elements should be included in your statement as they are included in the example
paragraph below:
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State (in one sentence) the problem or issue you are experiencing in your work
setting that is within the realm of influence of your position and/or is difficult to handle
without help considering the alternatives or scenarios for change
State (in one sentence) the health outcome that is impacted by this problem if it is
not corrected
State the Public Health Core Functions and related Essential Services (see attached
list) that will be addressed if your problem is solved
State the Healthy People 2020 Objective(s) that will be addressed if your problem is
solved (see links attached)
Add any other local, state, or national objectives that would be addressed if your
problem was solved
EXAMPLE PROBLEM STATEMENT
This case study project reviews a problem faced by many disease or risk factor oriented
surveillance systems existing in public health practice. That is, the public health problem is
that some surveillance systems may not be comprehensive or contain fragmented disease
registries, holding large quantities of surveillance data that may not be utilized to its full
potential. This ultimately affects, not only, community health and well being, but also,
impacts state, regional and national efforts to, effectively and efficiently, identify public
health problems and implement interventions to control and prevent them. Therefore, this
case study project focuses on enhancing the public health core function of “assessment,”
including the Essential Services of diagnosing and investigating health problems and health
hazards in the community. This project also seeks to address the Healthy People 2010
Objectives: identifying problems and assessing the community’s capacity to address health
and social service needs, increase the proportion of State and local public health agencies
that gather accurate data on public health expenditures, categorized by essential public
health service, and increase the proportion of State and local jurisdictions that review and
evaluate the extent to which their statutes, ordinances, and bylaws assure the delivery of
essential public health services.
Please submit your problem statement to Eileen Legaspi (elegaspi@slu.edu)
by March 25, 2011.
As mentioned previously, Kate Wright will be involved in reviewing your problem
statement, which will then be returned to you with comments before Session II.
PUBLIC HEALTH - Core Functions* and Ten Essential
Services**
The Core Functions of Public Health include Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance.
The ten Essential Public Health Services are listed below and categorized under the appropriate Core Function.
I.
Assessment:
1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems (e.g.,
community health profile, vital statistics, and health status).
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community (e.g.,
epidemiologic surveillance systems, laboratory support).
II.
Policy Development:
3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues (e.g., health promotion and
social marketing).
4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems (e.g.,
convening and facilitating community groups to promote health).
5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts (e.g.,
leadership development and health system planning).
III.
Assurance:
6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety (e.g., enforcement
of sanitary codes to ensure safety of environment).
7. Link people to needed personal health services and ensure the provision of health care
when otherwise unavailable (services that increase access to health care).
8. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce (e.g., education and
training for all public health care providers).
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based
health services (e.g., continuous evaluation of public health programs).
10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems (e.g., links with
academic institutions and capacity for epidemiologic and economic analyses).
* Institute of Medicine, Future of Public Health, 1988.
** A consensus list developed by federal health agencies in partnership with major national
public health organizations, adopted: Fall 1994 by the Public Health Functions Steering
Committee.
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020 LINKS
1. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/healthy_people.htm
2. http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspx
3. http://wonder.cdc.gov/data2010/focusod.htm
4. http://phpartners.org/hp/
5. http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/default.aspx