TABLE 1.

Functions of the public and private sectors in maintaining the health of the nation

Sector with responsibility	Function
Public health sector	Conduct population-based disease surveillance
	Conduct epidemiologic investigations of new diseases and syndromes
	Establish national and local health goals and priorities
	Conduct environmental assessments (air, soil, food, water, vectors)
	Assess health status of and disease risk for populations
	Establish the national research agenda; fund and conduct research
	Ensure the quality of public and private laboratories
	Perform mandated laboratory testing, including neonatal and forensic testing
	Establish standards, codes, and regulations; license laboratories or products
	Develop disaster response plans
Public and private sectors	Investigate disease outbreaks
	Trace contacts of persons with infectious diseases
	Provide care and services for indigent and hard-to-reach people
	Develop and standardize health-related databases
	Develop communications networks
	Conduct cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness evaluations
	Develop and evaluate vaccines
	Develop and evaluate diagnostic reagents and techniques
	Conduct immunization programs
	Evaluate the effectiveness of prevention strategies
	Conduct health promotion and public education programs
	Perform professional education and training
Private sector	Deliver health care
	Perform clinical diagnostic testing
	Report cases of disease to public health agencies
	Determine health status or provide disease assessment of insured populations
	Establish organizational research goals; conduct research
	Develop drugs
	Perform quality assurance of respective organizational laboratories