Last updated: May 16, 2024
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Professionals Gateway

What to Know

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports the implementation of a national voluntary accreditation program for state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments.

Overview

The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity, serves as the independent accrediting body for public health departments in the United States.

Program History and Development

Milestone	Description
Development Phase	PHAB led development and testing activities with significant participation from local, tribal, state, and national public health leaders
Program Launch	September 14, 2011: National voluntary accreditation program officially launched
Initial Accreditation	2013: PHAB began accrediting health departments
Current Status	Ongoing accreditation cycles with continuous quality improvement standards

Scope of Accreditation

The voluntary accreditation program is designed for:
- State health departments
- Tribal health departments
- Local health departments
- Territorial health departments

Accreditation evaluates health departments against nationally recognized standards focused on performance improvement and quality enhancement across essential public health services.

Resources

Public Health Accreditation Board Website

Access comprehensive resources to support accreditation efforts, including:
- Standards and measures documentation
- Accreditation policies and procedures
- Application guidance and timelines
- Technical assistance materials
- Best practices from accredited health departments

Website: publichealthaccreditationboard.org

Assessing Outcomes from Public Health Accreditation

Evaluation Report – NORC at the University of Chicago, June 2023

This evaluation synthesizes findings on the benefits of accreditation as reported by accredited health departments. Key outcome areas include:
- Organizational performance improvements
- Enhanced community partnerships and engagement
- Strengthened workforce capacity and development
- Improved quality improvement processes
- Greater accountability and transparency

Impact of Public Health Accreditation

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, May/June 2018

This special journal issue features:
- Peer-reviewed scientific articles on accreditation outcomes
- Case studies from accredited health departments across diverse settings
- Commentaries from public health leaders on accreditation's role in system transformation
- Methodological considerations for evaluating accreditation impact

CDC Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) and Accreditation Language

CDC incorporates accreditation-related considerations into various funding opportunities to encourage quality improvement and system strengthening. This resource:
- Describes accreditation-related language included in CDC NOFOs
- Clarifies how accreditation status may factor into application review criteria
- Provides guidance for applicants on demonstrating alignment with accreditation standards
- Supports health departments in leveraging accreditation for funding competitiveness

Benefits of Public Health Accreditation

Accreditation supports health departments in advancing public health practice through:

Organizational Improvements

Strengthened strategic planning and performance management systems
Enhanced quality improvement infrastructure and culture
Improved documentation of policies, procedures, and outcomes

Community Impact

Greater community engagement in assessment and planning processes
Increased transparency and public trust in health department operations
More equitable delivery of public health services

Workforce Development

Clearer role definitions and competency expectations
Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development
Stronger recruitment and retention through demonstrated organizational commitment to excellence

System Integration

Improved coordination with healthcare systems, community organizations, and governmental partners
Alignment with national public health frameworks, including the 10 Essential Public Health Services
Enhanced preparedness for emerging public health challenges

CDC's Role in Supporting Accreditation

CDC's National Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce advances accreditation through:

Technical Assistance: Providing guidance and resources to health departments pursuing accreditation
Funding Support: Incorporating accreditation considerations into cooperative agreements and grants
Evaluation and Research: Supporting studies to assess accreditation outcomes and inform continuous improvement
Policy Alignment: Ensuring CDC programs and initiatives complement accreditation standards and goals
Partnership Coordination: Collaborating with PHAB and other national organizations to strengthen the accreditation ecosystem

Getting Started with Accreditation

Health departments interested in pursuing accreditation may consider these initial steps:

Review PHAB Standards and Measures: Familiarize your team with the current accreditation criteria and documentation requirements.
Conduct a Gap Analysis: Assess current capacities against accreditation standards to identify priorities for improvement.
Engage Leadership and Staff: Build organizational commitment and allocate resources for the accreditation process.
Connect with Accredited Peers: Learn from health departments that have completed accreditation through PHAB's learning communities.
Explore CDC and Partner Resources: Utilize available technical assistance, funding opportunities, and training to support your journey.

This content is adapted from the official CDC website. For the most current information, please visit cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/accreditation.