The Alabama Department of Public Health is seeking survey input from diverse organizations, agencies, businesses, programs, individuals, consumers and others in identifying appropriate and relevant health issues that they would like to have considered for inclusion in a statewide and local health assessment.

Names of participants are not requested in the survey. The brief online survey can be responded to by visiting http://bit.ly/1cqyvEr. Please respond by Jan. 15, 2014.

“We need the assistance of interested groups and individuals from different backgrounds and parts of the state to respond to the survey,” Stacey Adams, team leader said.  “By better understanding the health concerns and needs of the state, identifying partners that we can work with, and focusing our efforts, we can effectively improve the health status of Alabamians.”

The assessment that is being developed through this survey and other related activities will help identify and prioritize the health needs of the state, establish a measurable starting point for tracking progress, and serve as a foundation for a statewide health improvement plan.

In addition to other benefits, the health assessment will position the department to apply for accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). Accreditation will advance the quality and performance of the agency.  It provides a means to identify performance improvement opportunities, improve management, develop leadership, and improve relationships with other community components.

PHAB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the quality and performance of public health departments by providing a national framework of standards and a process to achieve voluntary accreditation. PHAB was created to serve as the national public health accrediting body.  It is jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.