Use Public Health Science:
Articulate evidence-based approaches to chronic disease prevention and control (70).a
Discuss the underlying causes and management of chronic diseases, including behavioral, medical, genetic, environmental, and social factors (91).
Articulate key chronic disease issues (15).
Recognize and apply current relevant scientific evidence (17).
Describe socioeconomic and behavioral determinants of health disparities (42).
Develop and adapt approaches to problems that take into account differences among populations (62).
Explain relevant inferences from quantitative and qualitative data (61).
Apply ethical principles to the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information (36).
Discuss quantitative evaluation (93).
Identify relevant and appropriate data and information sources for chronic disease (52).
Monitor and analyze chronic disease epidemiology and surveillance data to identify burden, trends, and outcomes (38).
Identify the factors that influence the delivery and use of public health programs and services (34).
Guide the translation of research into chronic disease programs and activities (89).
Know and apply the Chronic Disease Indicators (55).
Select and use appropriate data collection methods (24).
Discuss issues of data integrity and comparability (1).
Explain basic clinical terms and etiology for chronic diseases (2).
Discuss qualitative evaluation (31).
Define and interpret nontraditional data to address chronic disease prevention and control (eg, transportation data, cigarette sales) (13).
Implement social marketing strategies (71).
Maintain up-to-date knowledge on the development of genetic advances and technologies relevant to chronic diseases (47).
Design and Evaluate Programs:
Use program evaluation findings to improve program performance (63).
Select appropriate program and intervention activities (86).
Identify and use public health data as a tool to develop and prioritize community-based interventions or policies for chronic disease (75).
Apply principles of cultural appropriateness to program design (88).
Develop evaluation plans for chronic disease programs and activities (32).
Know program-specific content areas (45).
Apply cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-utility analyses as appropriate (44).
Identify a data analysis agenda for state chronic disease programs (11).
Create and interpret logic models for chronic disease programs (8).
Guide the application of basic research methods and theories used in chronic disease prevention and control (87).
Manage Programs and Resources:
Manage chronic disease programs within budget constraints (12).
Navigate cooperative agreements with the CDC (23).
Set program goals and objectives of chronic disease programs (43).
Monitor chronic disease program performance (40).
Identify and assess potential funding opportunities (14).
Balance needs, requirements, partnerships, workload, etc, for multiple projects/programs (16).
Adhere to public health laws, regulations, and policies related to chronic disease prevention and control (58).
Prepare proposals for funding from a variety of sources (57).
Implement strategies for transition from planning to implementation (77).
Provide technical assistance to partners, subcontractors, and others as needed (22).
Develop and justify a line-item budget (37).
Assess an organization's implementation readiness, capacity, and effectiveness (73).
Conduct internal and external needs and assets assessments to inform program planning (19).
Develop and justify an activity-based budget (9).
Apply current techniques in decision analysis and planning for chronic disease (6).
Conduct regular and purposeful site visits with grantees (39).
Apply organizational theory to professional practice (3)
Develop a plan for chronic disease information systems (18).
Manage People:
Manage a team of professional staff effectively (96).
Balance multiple tasks (100).
Prioritize work responsibilities of self and staff (94).
Practice effective time management (7).
Recruit and retain a diverse chronic disease workforce (27).
Implement processes so that staff from multiple programs can identify underlying common goals and outcomes (80).
Match staff skills to tasks (68).
Recruit, mentor, and support a diverse interdisciplinary team (95).
Mediate and resolve conflicts effectively (29).
Conduct performance appraisals and give guidance/feedback to staff regularly (33).
Promote team and organizational learning (90).
Support professional and personal development for chronic disease program staff (76).
Negotiate budgets and contract requirements/objectives with both funders and contractors (26).
Navigate relevant fiscal systems effectively (67).
Manage meetings and conferences (21).
Employ effective interviewing and questioning strategies (35).
Motivate individuals and teams to achieve goals.b
Facilitate integration between chronic disease programs and other state health-related programs (eg, surveillance, oral health, maternal and child health, Medicaid, state employee health insurance, emergency service providers and planners) (20).
Use effective collaboration strategies to build meaningful partnerships (64).
Lead and participate in groups to address emerging chronic disease issues (99).
Prepare and present the business case for chronic disease prevention effectively (4).
Facilitate use of coalitions as effective change agents for chronic disease prevention and control (10).
Develop enough social capital and political savvy to navigate the appropriate organizational systems quickly (53).
Facilitate group interactions and decision making (49).
Work collaboratively with partners on data collection and interpretation (59).
Use the media, advanced technologies, and community networks to communicate information (92).
Identify and describe the roles of the key players on a national level (56).
Participate in national work groups to facilitate effective implementation of chronic disease programs (51).
Lead Strategically:
Demonstrate critical thinking (84).
Respond with flexibility to changing needs (97).
Leverage resources (83).
Provide leadership to create key values and shared vision (28).
Generate, share, and accept new ideas and incorporate them (85).
Apply effective problem-solving processes and methods (79).
Facilitate integration among chronic disease programs (72).
Create a culture of ethical standards within organizations and communities (74).
Develop budget initiatives based on priorities to sell to decision-makers (46).
Oversee the development and implementation of a statewide chronic disease plan (30).
Translate policy into organizational plans, structures, and programs (69).
Identify policy agenda for state chronic disease programs (50).
Identify individual and organizational responsibilities within the context of the Essential Public Health Services and core functions (82).
Build Support:
Establish and maintain linkages and/or partnerships with key stakeholders (including traditional, nontraditional, and academic partners) (25).
Interact effectively with other major sectors (including the health care industry, transportation, parks and recreation, education, and the private sector).b
Communicate effectively in writing for professional and lay audiences (78).
Listen to others in an unbiased manner, respect points of view of others, and promote the expression of diverse opinions and perspectives (65).
Communicate effectively orally for professional and lay audiences (98).
Advocate for chronic disease programs and resources (81).
Influence Policies and Systems Change:
Explain systems thinking and principles of systems change (41).
Use policy as a tool in advancing chronic disease and control (66).
Present accurate demographic, statistical, programmatic, and scientific information effectively for professional and lay audiences (48).
Assess the impact of public policies, laws, and regulations on chronic disease prevention and control (60).
Influence policy through accurate, persuasive communications with the public, partners, health agency leaders, and policy makers.b
Articulate relative risks of disease effectively (5).
Describe the historical development, structure, and interaction of public health and health care systems (54).
Use health economics concepts and language to present chronic disease programs in a convincing manner to appropriate audiences.b

Source: National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, 2006. Used with permission.

^aThe numbers in parentheses are randomly assigned identifiers that enable the reader to cross-reference the statement with its location on the concept map in the Figure. Statements without a number were added via subsequent discussions with interviewees.

^b Item added at the suggestion of interviewees.