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What is public health accreditation?

Public health department accreditation is defined as the development of a set of standards, a process to measure health department performance against those standards, and reward or recognition for those health departments who meet the standards.

Accreditation through PHAB provides a means for a department to identify performance improvement opportunities, to improve management, develop leadership, and improve relationships with the community. The process is one that will challenge the health department to think about what business it does and how it does that business. It will encourage and stimulate quality and performance improvement in the health department. It will also stimulate greater accountability and transparency.

Accreditation documents the capacity of the public health department to deliver the three core functions of public health and the Ten Essential Public Health Services. Thus, accreditation gives reasonable assurance of the range of public health services a department should provide. Accreditation declares that the health department has an appropriate mission and purpose and can demonstrate that it will continue to accomplish its mission and purpose.

PHAB is working with NIHB to ensure that accreditation standards address the specific needs and challenges of the Tribal public health programs. As the national public health accrediting body, PHAB recognizes the unique and critical role that Tribal governments have in developing the accreditation program. As PHAB continually tests, the accreditation standards, measures and procedures through the upcoming reviews; the Tribal health programs will have an opportunity to provide important feedback on the accreditation program during each of these critical review periods.

What public health accreditation means for Indian Country

The goal of the accreditation program is to improve and protect the health of the Tribes by advancing the quality of public health services. Through its work with NIHB, PHAB understands that enhancing public health in Indian Country means addressing a complex set of services that are often provided by a diverse group of partners and stakeholders. Tribal leaders and health officials are giving valuable input into the creation of the accreditation standards and the process of becoming accredited, and therefore are taking an active role in ensuring that Native communities are safe, healthy places to live.

To download a copy of Exploring Tribal Public Health Accreditation, please click here.

Why accreditation matters to tribal public health

The expectation is that accreditation will strengthen all public health departments and the services they provide, which will contribute to improved community health. Accreditation can benefit Native communities in various ways, including:

• Responsibility and visibility. Implementing accreditation standards can support Tribal governments in their efforts to improve their community’s health.
• Performance feedback and quality improvement. The accreditation assessment process provides valuable, measurable feedback to public health programs on their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Valuable partnerships. The accreditation process encourages strong, active partnerships between public health practitioners, stakeholders and community members in Indian Country.
• Reducing health disparities. The accreditation process promotes building and enhancing public health services so that the same level of high quality public health services is available to everyone.

Who is eligible?

The governmental entity that has the primary statutory or legal responsibility for public health in a Tribe, state, territory, or at the local level is eligible to apply for accreditation.

To be eligible, such entities must operate in a manner consistent with applicable federal, Tribal, state, territorial, and local statutes. A health department must meet one of the following definitions to apply for PHAB accreditation:

Tribal Health Department

A Tribal health department is defined, for the purposes of PHAB accreditation, as a federally recognized Tribal government*, Tribal organization, or inter-Tribal consortium, as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, as amended. Such departments have jurisdictional authority to provide public health services, as evidenced by constitution, resolution, ordinance, executive order, or other legal means, intended to promote and protect the Tribe’s overall health, wellness and safety; prevent disease; and respond to issues and events. Federally recognized Tribal governments may carry out the above public health functions in a cooperative manner through formal agreement, formal partnership, or formal collaboration.

*As evidenced by inclusion on the list of recognized Tribes mandated under 25 U.S.C. § 479a-1. Publication of List of Recognized Tribes.

What does it cost?

With the launch of public health department accreditation in September 2011, PHAB begins to operate like other accreditation organizations. As is typical in that industry, PHAB instituted a fee structure to manage and maintain the national accreditation process. This is an important step toward strengthening the country’s public health infrastructure through quality improvement and the ongoing identification of best practices.

Please refer to PHAB’s website for the full Fee Overview: click here

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