N.J. Admin. Code § 8:52-3.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 8, April 15, 2024

Section 8:52-3.2 - Services and capacities

(a) Public health services shall include administrative services as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-5, health education services as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-6, public health nursing services as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-7, and the three core functions of public health which have been expanded to become the "10 essential public health services" in (a)1 through 10 below. Public health services shall:

1. Monitor health status to identify community health problems as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-10. This service includes:

i. Collecting, compiling, interpreting, reporting, and communicating vital statistics and health status measures of populations or sub-populations, as available, within one or more counties. Reporting shall be contingent upon the development of electronic reporting systems;

ii. Assessing health service needs; and

iii. Timely analyzing, communicating, and publishing information on access to, utilization of, quality of, and outcomes of personal health services;

2. Diagnose and investigate health problems in the community as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-12. This service includes:

i. Identifying emerging epidemiological health threats;

ii. Supporting prevention efforts with public health laboratory capabilities;

iii. Supporting active infectious disease prevention and control efforts; and

iv. Acquiring and sustaining technical capacity for epidemiological investigation of disease outbreaks and patterns of chronic disease and injury;

3. Inform, educate, and empower people regarding health issues as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-6. This service includes:

i. Social marketing and targeted public media communications regarding public health issues;

ii. Providing accessible health information resources at the community level;

iii. Collaborating with personal health care providers to reinforce health promotion messages and programs; and

iv. Initiating health education with schools, community groups, special populations, and occupational sites;

4. Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-9. This service includes:

i. Convening community groups and associations that have access to populations and resources to facilitate prevention, screening, rehabilitation, and support activities; and

ii. Identifying and organizing community resources through skilled coalition building to support the goals and activities of a countywide public health system;

5. Develop policies and plans which support individual and community health efforts as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-11. This service includes:

i. Systematic countywide and State level planning for health improvement;

ii. Development and tracking of measurable health objectives as a part of a continuous quality improvement strategy;

iii. Development of consistent policies regarding prevention and treatment services; and

iv. Development of codes, regulations, and legislation to authorize and guide the practice of public health;

6. Enforce the laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-14. This service includes:

i. Enforcement of the State Sanitary Code;

ii. Protection of food and drinking water supplies;

iii. Compliance with environmental health activities regarding air, water, noise, and nuisances; and

iv. Investigation of health hazards, preventable injuries, and exposure-related diseases in both the work and community settings;

7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure health care when it is otherwise unavailable as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-13. This service includes providing:

i. Access to the personal health care system by socially disadvantaged individuals;

ii. Culturally and linguistically appropriate materials and staff to assure linkage to services for special populations;

iii. Continuous care management;

iv. Transportation services;

v. Technical assistance and health information for high risk groups; and

vi. Occupational health programs;

8. Ensure a competent local public health system and assure a competent personal health care workforce as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-8. This service includes:

i. Assessing existing and needed competencies at the community and organizational levels pursuant to 8:52-4.2;

ii. Establishing standards for public health professionals;

iii. Evaluating job performance;

iv. Requiring continuing education; and

v. Training management and leadership;

9. Evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-16. This service includes:

i. Evaluating the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services;

ii. Developing objectives and measurements and collecting and analyzing data and information which are used to compare performance with agreed upon standards;

iii. Determining the success or failure of a program or activity; and

iv. Recommending for improvement, expansion or termination a program or activity; and

10. Research for innovative solutions to health problems as set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:52-15. This service includes:

i. The continuous linkage between the practice of public health and academic and research institutions;

ii. The capacity to perform timely epidemiological and economic analyses;

iii. The ability to conduct health services and health practice research; and

iv. The appropriate utilization of research findings.

(b) Competencies for delivering the above referenced "10 essential public health services" shall be those set forth in "The Public Health Workforce: An Agenda for the 21st Century" and the "Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals," incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented. See 8:52-1.8(a)3 and 4.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:52-3.2