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The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The national accreditation program works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and ultimately transforming the quality and performance of health departments. ADPH is one of 26 state health departments that have achieved accreditation through PHAB since 2011.
"Accreditation is a way to help us evaluate and improve our overall service to the public," State Health Officer Dr. Tom Miller said. "The accreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community. By achieving accreditation, we are demonstrating increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials, and our partner organizations. We will continue to improve our services and performance to meet the public health needs of those we serve as effectively as possible."
The national accreditation program sets standards for the nation’s nearly 3,000 governmental public health departments to continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. To receive accreditation, a health department must undergo a rigorous, multi-faceted, peerreviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures.
Dr. John Meigs, Chairman of the State Committee of Public Health, said, "We are pleased that the Alabama Department of Public Health has been accredited for the next five years by the Public Health Accreditation Board. This milestone accomplishment is phenomenal news, and I commend Dr. Miller and his staff for this monumental achievement. This is the official recognition that the department meets or exceeds the rigorous standards established and is committed to continuous quality improvement to meet our state’s needs as effectively as possible."
"The ADPH joins the growing ranks of accredited health departments in a strong commitment to their public health mission," said PHAB President and CEO Kaye Bender. "The peer-review process provides valuable feedback to inform health departments of their strengths and areas for improvement, so that they can better protect and promote the health of the people they serve in their communities. Residents of a community served by a nationally accredited health department can be assured that their health department has demonstrated the capacity to protect and promote the health of that community."
Public health departments play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. In cities, towns, and states across the nation, health departments provide a range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, clean air, and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.
The mission of the Alabama Department of Public Health is to promote, protect, and improve the health of individuals and communities in Alabama. Learn more about services available at adph.org.
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), established in 2007, was created to serve as the national public health accrediting body, and is jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The development of national public health accreditation has involved, and is supported by, public health leaders and practitioners from the national, Tribal, state, and local levels. Learn more about PHAB by visiting www.phaboard.org.