​​​​​​​​The Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice (Council on Linkages) is a collaborative of 24 national organizations focused on improving public health education and training, practice, and research. Establishe​d in 1992 to implement the recommendations of the Public Health Faculty/Agency Forum, the Council on Linkages works to further academic/practice collaboration to ensure a well-trained, competent workforce and the development and use of a strong evidence base for public health practice. Staff support is provided by the Public Health Foundation. 

Mission

To improve the performance of individuals and organizations within public health by fostering, coordinating, and monitoring collaboration among the academic, public health practice, and healthcare communities; promoting public health education and training for health professionals throughout their careers; and developing and advancing innovative strategies to build and strengthen public health infrastructure.

Strategic Directions

Work of the Council on Linkages is guided by its Strategic Directions, 2023-2027​. The Strategic Directions detail the Council on Linkages’ objectives, as well as the strategies and tactics that may be pursued to achieve these objectives. The Strategic Directions were adopted in September 2023.

Initiatives

The Council on Linkages is engaged in a variety of public health workforce development activities. Initiatives focus on:

• Retention and Recruitment Learning Community ​
  
• Academic Health Department Learning Community
• Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals
• Improving and measuring the impact of public health training
  

​History and Accomplishments

For more than 20 years, the Council on Linkages has enhanced collaboration between academia and practice within public health. Accomplishments of the Council on Linkages have helped to strengthen the public health workforce.