College of Public Health Resources
Collegiate Center Summaries
Institute for Public Health Practice
The Institute for Public Health Practice promotes the linkage between the academic, service, and research activities of the University of Iowa College of Public Health with public health practitioners at the local, state, federal, and international levels. Established in 1999, the Institute has developed as a central point of coordination for several related but distinct programs, projects, and centers, including the Upper Midwest Center for Public Health Preparedness and the Upper Midwest Public Health Training Center. At the heart of these endeavors is the goal of enhancing the public health workforce in Iowa and the Upper Midwest through competency-based training and community-focused collaborations. The Institute and its Centers deliver training programs across Iowa in collaboration with state and local public health agencies; nursing, medical, pharmacy, and hospital associations; emergency management and public safety agencies; state universities and community colleges; and the University Hygienic Laboratory, which serves as the official state public health laboratory.
The Institute is overseen by a Director and Deputy Director and currently administers the following centers and projects:
Upper Midwest Preparedness and Response Learning Center
The Upper Midwest Preparedness and Response Learning Center is one of 52 Centers for Public Health Preparedness funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The mission of UMCPHP is ensuring that the state and local public health workforce has the skills to prepare for, promptly identify, and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. Since its initiation, UMCPHP has established itself as a partner in meeting the challenge of adding capacity for the development of the preparedness workforce in the Upper Midwest . It has served as a facilitator of strengthened partnerships with public health organizations, including state and local health departments, and it has lead to the development of new partnerships with public safety organizations.
Upper Midwest Public Health Training Center (UMPHTC)
The Upper Midwest Public Health Training Center (UMPHTC) one of 14 Public Health Training Centers located throughout the United States established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. Serving the states of Iowa , Nebraska and South Dakota , UMPHTC provides education and training on the latest public health techniques and practices for professionals and students in the public health field in Iowa , Nebraska and South Dakota . UMPHTC serves the region through the identification of areas of need in public health workforce capacity, and through the development of curriculum and methodologies that will meet those needs, strengthening the competencies and capabilities of public health practitioners, students and faculty. Promoting partnership and collaboration, this training center maximizes the most efficient use of resources for public health workforce development.
Center for Public Health Statistics
The Center for Public Health Statistics (CPHS) was established in March 1999 under the strategic plan for the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Administratively designated as a collegiate center, the CPHS functions collaboratively with collegiate departments and centers, University groups, and outside entities in fulfillment of its mission. The mission of the Center is to (1) collect, analyze, and disseminate public health data in relation to the research, teaching, and service missions of the College of Public Health, (2) develop collaborative relationships in the area of public health statistics, and (3) represent the College of Public Health to the Iowa Department of Public Health with respect to issues involving public health data. The CPHS takes the lead for the College in producing the biennial edition of the Iowa Health Fact Book, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Iowa Health Fact Book is a compilation of county-specific health indicators, health resources, and facts of interest to public health professionals in Iowa. In addition, the Center is actively engaged in a number of federally-funded research projects in several areas of public health, providing biostatistical expertise and data analysis support.
Center on Aging
The mission of the Center on Aging (COA) is to serve the University of Iowa and State by fostering and enhancing interdisciplinary basic and applied research, education and service efforts dedicated to understanding the aging process and improving the health and well being of older people. Outreach and collaboration are central to the Center's activities. The Center offers leadership, consultation and resources to diverse community, university, state and national audiences in order to improve services and programs, increase training and expertise in aging, guide public policy and provide timely information that supports informed decision-making. The Center on Aging is an administrative department in the UI Carver College of Medicine and co-sponsored by the College of Public Health and UI Health Care. For more information, see the COA website: www.centeronaging.uiowa.edu (2007)
August 2009