This course introduces the foundations of public health and health equity through the lens of the three Public Health Core Functions – Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance – and their connection to the 10 Essential Public Health Services.
Designed with new public health professionals in mind, this course uses interactive content, real-world examples, and practical tools to help learners explore how these foundational concepts apply to their roles, organizations, and communities. By the end of the course, participants will have a clearer understanding of how their work fits into the broader U.S. public health system and how to apply an equity lens to core public health functions.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, learners will be able to:
- Describe the primary goal of public health and explain their own role in the field to others in simple, relatable terms.
- Explain how the three core functions of public health (assessment, policy development, and assurance) support efforts to advance health equity.
- Identify practical ways to center health equity in their own day-to-day public health work.
Intended Audience
This training is designed for public health professionals who are new to the field or have no formal public health training.
Format
This training consists of text and activities. The course should take approximately two hours to complete. If you decide to complete the worksheets, the course may take longer.
Course Developers
Barbara Obena, MPH, Senior Consultant, National Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity, Kaiser Permanente
Barbara Rose, MPH, Training and Outreach Manager, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice
Nikki Dettmar, MSIS, MS, Project Manager, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice
Erica Ellis, MA, Instructional Designer, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice
Patricia Ho, MS, Graphic Designer, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice
Meredith Pothoven, Project Manager, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice
Technical Requirements
This course is web-based and includes audio and video clips. You will need to create a free account in PH LearnLink to enroll.
Accessibility
This online course is text-based and is designed for accessibility. If you have any difficulties in accessing the information in this course or need further assistance, please contact nwcphp@uw.edu.
