title: Strengthening the nation's public health infrastructure: historic challenge, unprecedented opportunity.
abstract: The nation's attention has been focused on the vital need for a strong public health infrastructure to protect community health. In this paper we provide an overview of progress during the past decade and point to immediate challenges and opportunities that resulted from recent events. Further, we highlight the need for continued vigilance and broad partnership development if we are to maintain public support for public health. Finally, we point to the need for better language, compelling case reports, and quantitative capacity assessment to guide policymakers and program leaders and to ensure long-term support.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Practice Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA.
authors.forename: Edward L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Jeffrey P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Koplan
mesh_terms: D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D040381:Education, Public Health Professional; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011050:Policy Making; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D040442:Public Health Informatics; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012941:Social Responsibility; D014481:United States