HSPH-CPHP has a structure of Core units to respond to what we consider the most important questions surrounding public health preparedness. These questions are:

What are the best practices for achieving preparedness? How do we ensure a unified response?
The Scientific Core applies expert clinical knowledge and field experience to determine the best methods for promoting preparedness. Based on the latest data and innovations, the Scientific Core develops curricula, exercises, and other tools to educate and inform the public health workforce. Additionally, the scientific work of HSPH-CPHP is guided by a Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of international experts in a range of related fields, including clinical medicine, infectious disease modeling, environmental health, and decision science. Access to such expertise allows HSPH-CPHP faculty to translate current research on emerging preparedness issues into data-driven recommendations to inform preparedness policy, plans and protocols. The Scientific Core is also devoted to assessing and improving connectivity at the national, state, and local level. Connectivity, defined as a "seamless web of people, organizations, resources, and information that can best catch, contain, and control a bioterrorist or other terrorist incident" has become an important theme among public health and homeland security leadership across the country, and is a crucial aspect of effective emergency response.

How do we reach a diverse public health workforce?
In the event of any disaster - whether a hurricane, chemical spill, terrorist event, or pandemic influenza - a coordinated, integrated local response is imperative to protect the health and safety of all citizens. Emergency public health interventions such as mass prophylaxis or control of population movement are complex activities that require advance planning, strategic decision-making regarding resource allocation, and regular practice in order to be effectively implemented during a disaster. Further, these interventions necessitate collaboration among a number of community agencies, including: emergency management, public health, police, fire, emergency medical services, health care providers, public works, and local government. In acknowledgment of the demands on this new public health workforce, the Training Core works with community-based partners to assess training needs and deliver role-specific, competency-based courses and exercises. HSPH-CPHP recognizes the differences in learning styles and the competing commitments of busy public health professionals, and is constantly exploring new strategies, tools, and technologies to impart preparedness information. HSPH-CPHP employs a range of educational methodologies, from face-to-face, didactic lectures to self-guided, technology-assisted instruction.

How do we measure preparedness?
The Evaluation Core strives to provide objective, quantitative measures of effectiveness that demonstrate the accomplishment of identified goals, impact, and outcome changes at the individual, agency and community levels. Formal measurement and evaluation allows HSPH-CPHP to assess whether the educational programs are meeting the stated goals and objectives, to determine the intended and unintended consequences of the educational programs, to examine whether changes need to be made in the implementation and conduct of the educational curricula during program development, and to identify additional needs not detected by the initial assessment.

How do we promote equity in preparedness?
The Rural Preparedness Core has initiated research to identify strategies available to state agencies to overcome the unique challenges faced in rural areas. Those challenges include: geographic barriers; the common lack of a formal public health structure at the local level, resulting in the limited standardized public health education and training; significant resource and staffing shortfalls; limited public health education and training; and many other competing demands for relatively scarce public resources.

Please visit the links to the left to learn more about Core activities and research.