Frequently, public health professionals refer to the essential public health services.  The essential public health services were developed as a companion to the three core  public health functions. In their 1988 report, The Future of Public Health, the Institutes  of Medicine (IOM) defined the three core functions of governmental public health as  assessment, policy development, and assurance. The essential public health services were developed in 1994 by the Essential Public Health Services Work Group of the Core Public Health Functions Steering Committee. The essential public health services grew out of a need to better communicate the scope and importance of governmental public health to the general public and legislators.

1. Monitor health status to identify community problems.

2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.

3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.

4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems.

5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.

6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.

7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of  health care when otherwise unavailable.

8. Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce.

9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population- based health services.

10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.