title: Training Public Health Advisors.
abstract: Federal public health advisors provide guidance and assistance to health departments to improve public health program work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prepares them with specialized training in administering public health programs. This article describes the evolving training and is based on internal CDC documents and interviews. The first federal public health advisors worked in health departments to assist with controlling syphilis after World War II. Over time, more CDC prevention programs hired them. To meet emerging needs, 3 major changes occurred: the Public Health Prevention Service, a fellowship program, in 1999; the Public Health Associate Program in 2007; and integration of those programs. Key components of the updated training are competency-based training, field experience, supervision, recruitment and retention, and stakeholder support. The enduring strength of the training has been the experience in a public health agency developing practical skills for program implementation and management.
authors.affiliation: Field Services Office (Drs Meyer and Baden and Ms Brusuelas) and Public Health Associate Program (Ms Duncan), Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Pamela A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Brusuelas
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Baden
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Duncan
mesh_terms: D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D013663:Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014492:United States Public Health Service / Q000592:standards