The Role of Health Departments in Advancing a New Community Health and Wellness Agenda

The National Expert Panel on Community Health Promotion provided recommendations that are relevant not only to federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) but also to state and local health agencies (1). State and local health agencies have a strong foundation in convening nontraditional partners, coordinating public and private efforts, and serving as a model for accountability and stewardship. These skills can be used to apply the principles outlined by the expert panel, including expanding surveillance systems to include social determinants of health and developing programs within the context of local culture and political processes.