A Performance Management Initiative for Local Health Department Vector Control Programs.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Environmental Health
• Vector-Borne Disease Control

Background:

• Local health department (LHD) vector control programs are experiencing reduced funding and capacity.
• This decline impacts the ability to respond effectively to vector-borne diseases.
• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Public Health Foundation initiated a performance management project to address these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a performance management initiative for LHD vector control programs.
• To assess the effectiveness of quality improvement (QI) projects in enhancing service delivery.
• To identify common performance aspects and priority improvement areas within LHD vector control.

Main Methods:

• Fourteen LHD vector control programs participated in the initiative.
• Programs conducted performance assessments using Environmental Public Health Performance Standards.
• Quality improvement experts assisted programs in using assessment results to prioritize and implement QI projects.

Main Results:

• QI projects focused on increasing effectiveness and efficiency in services like mosquito complaint response and public education.
• Aggregate performance assessment data revealed common program strengths and weaknesses.
• The initiative provided a framework for LHDs to improve their performance management.

Conclusions:

• LHD vector control programs can adapt this performance management initiative to their needs.
• Engaging in similar performance assessment and QI approaches can benefit LHD vector control programs.
• The initiative demonstrated a viable strategy for enhancing vector control program effectiveness and efficiency.