About Public Health

Public health works to create healthy communities through a wide variety of approaches. Governmental public health is responsible for four primary foundational areas: infectious disease prevention and control, environmental health, prevention and population health improvement, and access to health services. While these services may look unique to each community, they are present in governmental public health jurisdictions across Minnesota. 

The foundational capabilities are the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully implement the foundational areas governmental public health is responsible for. 

To learn more, visit the Minnesota Department of Health’s website. 

This framework was developed collaboratively by state and local public health staff, and informed by national foundational public health services.