As the control of mosquitoes and other vectors is in the spotlight, the Public Health Foundation (PHF), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has published an open-access, peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Environmental Insights, titled, “A Performance Management Initiative for Local Health Department Vector Control Programs.”

Acknowledging decreases in the funding and capacity of local health department (LHD) vector control programs, PHF and CDC launched the Vector Control Program Improvement Initiative, and assisted 14 participating programs in conducting performance assessments and implementing improvement projects. PHF’s quality improvement (QI) experts assisted the LHDs in using a variety of QI tools such as the Environmental Public Health Performance Standards and Self-Assessment Instrument, AIM Statements, and the Vector Control Population Health Driver Diagram to identify and address their capacity needs.

The article presents aggregate performance assessment results for each of the 10 Essential Environmental Public Health Services (EEPHS) as well as brief project descriptions for the 14 LHDs Results suggest that vector control program strengths are largely in EEPHS 2 (Diagnose and investigate) and EEPHS 3 (Inform, educate, empower) and weaker areas are in EEPHS 1 (Monitor environmental and health status) and EEPHS 9 (Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality).

LHD vector control programs are crucial to communities that are trying to control vectors such as mosquitoes, bats, rodents, and ticks. Many vector programs have experienced decreased funding and substantial reductions in capacity. This unfortunate reality has left communities vulnerable to existing and emerging threats, including Chikungunya and Zika. While there is little doubt that LHDs and their communities would benefit from additional funding for vector control programs, QI processes can be used by LHDs to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness. A multitude of QI resources are publicly available or in references such as PHF’s Public Health Quality Improvement Encyclopedia. Vector control program QI projects can also be used as documentation for health departments pursing accreditation with the Public Health Accreditation Board.

For questions or to share how you’re using these resources, contact Vanessa Lamers at [email protected].