Public Health Laboratories

Public health laboratories and radiological readiness.

OBJECTIVE To document the ability of public health laboratories to respond to radiological emergencies. METHODS The Association of Public Health Laboratories developed, distributed, and analyzed two separate surveys of public health laboratories representing the 50 US states and major nonstate jurisdictions. The 2009 All-Hazards Laboratory Preparedness Survey examined overall laboratory capab...

Environmental Health Surveillance: A Critical Function of Public Health Laboratories

Introduction Canada experienced 92 waterborne diseases outbreaks between 1975 and 20011. In addition, at any one time about 1500 communities in Canada are unable to use their drinking water. The source of exposure in disease outbreaks is often not known, so the true disease burden attributable to water related exposure may be much higher. Researchers have investigated risk factors for waterborn...

Competency Guidelines for Public Health Laboratory Professionals: CDC and the Association of Public Health Laboratories.

These competency guidelines outline the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for public health laboratory (PHL) professionals to deliver the core services of PHLs efficiently and effectively. As part of a 2-year workforce project sponsored in 2012 by CDC and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), competencies for 15 domain areas were developed by experts representing state ...

Modernization of public health laboratories in a privatization atmosphere.

Public health laboratories are essential components of the nation’s public health infrastructure. Unfortunately, the important role of such laboratories is not well recognized (4, 5). Views of the contemporary role of public health laboratories vary greatly, depending on the perspective of the observer. Advocates argue that such laboratories have experienced serious erosion and need strengtheni...

enHealth Guidance on: Clandestine Drug Laboratories and Public Health Risks