The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Public Health Foundation (PHF) collaborated on a performance improvement initiative to assist 14 local health departments to increase their vector control programs' efficiency, effectiveness, and capacity. The 10 Essential Environmental Public Health Services were used by the health departments throughout this initiative as a framework for assessing and improving vector control program performance. To assess the current status of their vector control programs, the health departments used the Environmental Public Health Performance Standards and Program Self-Assessment Instrument. Following the self-assessment, each agency prioritized its performance improvement and capacity needs, and took action to address an identified area of need. PHF’s quality improvement (QI) experts assisted the health departments in using a variety of QI methods and tools as they worked towards achieving measurable improvements. Through their participation in the Vector Control Performance Assessment and Improvement Initiative, each health department accomplished something that they would not have accomplished otherwise.

 

The compilation of the final reports written by the participating health departments reflect a summary of the process and accomplishments of the sites throughout the project. The document also includes resources used by the participants, and may be helpful to others interested in engaging in performance improvement activities for vector control programs. 

 

PHF also developed a Vector Control Population Health Driver Diagram that was used as a tool by the health departments as they considered strategies for their performance improvement activities. PHF provided technical assistance, coaching, and mentoring, and assisted health departments in testing new and innovative ideas, and engaging community partners to increase capacity.

 

For more information about this initiative, visit CDC’s website, or contact Vanessa Lamers at vlamers@phf.org or (202)218-4412.