In the seven years since the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals (Core Competencies) were adopted by the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice (the Council), the field of public health has seen major changes -- from the events of September 11, 2001 to new technologies, and an aging workforce. On May 23, 2008 the Council unanimously approved the new draft of the Core Competencies. In refining and updating the Core Competencies, the Council focused on the "mid-tier" of public health workers - that is those workers with an MPH (or related degree) and 5 years of work experience or individuals not having a public health degree but having at least 10 years of public health or public health-related work experience.

Provide us with your comments on the draft Core Competencies. The public comment period ends December 15, 2008. [Note: The public comment period, which was extended to December 31, 2008, has ended and the comment link on this page removed].