Which are core functions of public health?

• A. Assessment; Policy Development; Assurance
• B. Diagnosis; Treatment; Cure
• C. Research; Marketing; Sales
• D. Prevention; Promotion; Practice

Answer: (A)

Public health focuses on population health through three guiding activities: understanding health status and problems (assessment), shaping policies and plans to address those problems (policy development), and ensuring that needed services and protections are available and accountable (assurance).

Assessment involves gathering, analyzing, and disseminating data on health conditions, risk factors, and resources so communities know what they’re facing and can set priorities. Policy development uses that information to create evidence-based public health policies, programs, and regulations aimed at improving health outcomes and equity. Assurance is about making sure essential public health services are provided, the workforce is competent, laws and enforcement support protection of the public, and that there are systems to connect people with needed services and to monitor and improve performance over time.

The other options describe activities that aren’t the official trio of core public health functions: diagnosis, treatment, and cure are focused on individual patient care; research, marketing, and sales are broader or commercial activities not defining public health practice; and prevention, promotion, and practice are important public health actions but not the distinct threefold framework that public health agencies organize around.