Opportunities for Building CD/MCH/OH Epidemiology Capacity: Results from the 2013 National Epidemiology Capacity Assessment in CD/MCH/OH and Panel Discussions with CDC, NACDD, AMCHP, CityMatCH, and ASTDD

BACKGROUND:  In 2001, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) conducted the first of a series of periodic assessments to assess the epidemiology capacity of state and territorial health departments in the United States to monitor progress towards achieving Healthy People 2020 Public Health Infrastructure objective 13 - provision of epidemiology services.  These assessments included longitudinal measures to evaluate core epidemiology functions, provided a basis for estimating epidemiology capacity, and gauged the competency of the epidemiology workforce.  Since this first assessment, CSTE has conducted follow-up assessments in 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2013.  In the 2013 National Assessment of Epidemiology Capacity (ECA), CSTE included additional modules in chronic disease (CD), maternal & child health (MCH), and for the first time, oral health (OH) to assess epidemiology and surveillance capacity in these specific program areas.  While CSTE has conducted several assessments of epidemiology capacity, it is not the only organization with an interest in building epidemiology capacity.

METHODS:  Members of the CD/MCH/OH Steering committee developed a CD module, MCH module, and OH module to be implemented with the 2013 ECA in Summer 2013.  The ECA was distributed to the state and territorial epidemiologists, who were then able to delegate the modules to the programmatic points of contact.  Preliminary data analysis was conducted in Spring 2014 and shared with partner organizations for initial impressions and discussions for capacity-building activities.

RESULTS:  This session will present results for the 2013 CD, MCH, and OH ECA modules, which can be used to inform program managers of opportunities to increase capacity in these areas.  In addition, the results will share current trends among CD/MCH/OH epidemiology activities related to access to data; data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination functions; organizational placement and funding; and outreach, partnership, and collaboration.  This session will also invite conversation between the audience and representatives from several organizations with an interest in CD/MCH/OH epidemiology capacity such as the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, CityMatCH, and Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors to provide a richer picture of epidemiologic capacity and capacity-building activities in CD, MCH, and OH.

CONCLUSIONS: It is hoped that from the presentation of the results from the ECA and from the discussions with the aforementioned organizations, that staff from CD, MCH, and OH programs will be better able to gauge their epidemiologic capacity and be more aware of ways to build their capacity.