Public Health and Continuous Quality Improvement Defining public health in simple terms is difficult, even for professionals in the discipline, which is why the public is unlikely to understand the role that public health plays in one's life before a disaster strikes. The broad definition is that public health exists to promote physical and mental health and prevent disease, injury, and disability among the people of the United States. Public health is credited with contributing to the control of infectious diseases, improved maternal and infant health, improved motor vehicle safety, and widespread use of vaccines, to name a few. just some of its achievements (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1999). Given the intense responsibilities of public health, performance management and continuous quality improvement (CQI) are essential and ethical practices to protect public safety and save lives in times of crisis. Essential Components of Public Health Services The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with national, state, and local public health departments, have outlined essential public health services in an effort to support health agencies. public health in their efforts to implement ACQ. According to the CDC, the general label of services is: assessment, policy development, and assurance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Within these categories are other elements such as diagnosing and investigating, mobilizing community partnerships, and ensuring a competent workforce. The scope of functions of public health departments, large or small, requires standards and measures to ensure public safety. The CDC, in collaboration with the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation (RWJF), is supporting a national campaign...... middle of paper...... 14). Strengthen systems, improve public health. Retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/nphpsp/documents/nphpsp-factsheet.pdfDuke University Medical Center. (2005). Quality improvement method. Retrieved from Patient Safety-Quality Improvement: http://patientsafetyed.duhs.duke.edu/module_a/methods/methods.htmlMorrison, EE (2011). Ethics in health administration. pp. 33.48. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett. Public Health Accreditation Council. (February 14, 2014). What are the advantages? Retrieved from PHAB-Advancing public health performance: http://www.phaboard.org/accreditation-overview/what-are-the-benefits/Taylor, HA, Pronovost, PJ, Faden, RR, Kass, NE and Sugarman, J (2010, August). Ethical review of health care quality improvement initiatives: results from the field. The Commonwealth Fund, pp... 1-2.