Our Approach to Public Health
We strive to implement a community-based process that drives dialogue and impactful engagement regarding the health concerns facing our community. Our joint efforts, along with proven frameworks, guidance, structure, and best practices serve to promote a better-informed and healthier community.
Kaitlin Emrich

A Message from Our Director

Welcome to the Black Hawk County Public Health website! As the Public Health Director, I am delighted to share about the health department. Our dedicated and service-oriented individuals strive to make a difference in the lives of our community and believe in the engagement of all people to better understand their needs and concerns. We also value the partnerships with our local public health system to address critical and complex problems. For us, it is absolutely essential that we work together as an interdisciplinary team to improve the societal and environmental conditions where people live, learn, work, worship and play. 

We invite you to explore our website and connect with us!

Kaitlin Emrich
,
MPH
Public Health Director
Meet Our Board
Our Framework

The 10 Essential Public Health Services

In 2020, the CDC released their updated their 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) framework. The framework, created originally in 1994, is meant to serve as guide rails for organizations, government institutions, and individuals carrying out the mission of public health across the country.

The 10 Essential Public Health Services are:

  1. Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets
  2. Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population
  3. Communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it
  4. Strengthen, support, and mobilize communities and partnerships to improve health
  5. Create, champion, and implement policies, plans, and laws that impact health
  6. Utilize legal and regulatory actions designed to improve and protect the public’s health
  7. Assure an effective system that enables equitable access to the individual services and care needed to be healthy
  8. Build and support a diverse and skilled public health workforce
  9. Improve and innovate public health functions through ongoing evaluation, research, and continuous quality improvement
  10. Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure for public health
Learn More from the CDCRead About Our Approach to Health Equity