Which of the 10 essential services is designed to assure a competent public health workforce?

• A. Link to/provide care
• B. Assure a competent workforce
• C. Mobilize community partnerships
• D. Inform, educate, empower

Answer: (B)

The central idea being tested is ensuring the public health system has a workforce with the right skills, training, and capacity to carry out all public health activities. The service that is designed to assure a competent public health workforce is named to reflect its focus on building and maintaining that capacity—through credentialing, ongoing education, and workforce planning—so staff have the competencies needed to perform essential public health functions effectively.

This emphasis on staffing and competence is what sets it apart from the other services. Linking people to care is about connecting individuals to services; informing, educating, and empowering focuses on public communication and community engagement; mobilizing community partnerships centers on collaboration with organizations. While all are important, they depend on a capable workforce, which is why the service explicitly about assuring a competent workforce is the best fit.