Which of the 10 essential services focuses on informing, educating, and empowering people?

• A. Inform, educate, empower
• B. Mobilize community partnerships
• C. Provide direct clinical care
• D. Enforce laws

Answer: (A)

Inform, educate, empower focuses on giving people clear information, improving health literacy, and enabling individuals and communities to take informed action for their health. This service involves presenting risk information in accessible ways, translating evidence into practical guidance, and providing resources that help people understand options, benefits, and trade-offs. Empowerment adds the element of building skills, confidence, and agency so people can seek services, adopt healthier behaviors, and participate in decisions about their health.

An example is a public health campaign that explains how vaccines work, presents benefits and potential risks in plain language, answers common questions, and directs people to convenient vaccination sites. This embodies informing, educating, and empowering people to make informed health choices. The other options align with organizing partnerships, delivering direct medical care, or enforcing regulations, which are distinct functions.