incorporating new technologies such as bioinformatics, portable digital devices, and high-performance computing to improve information exchange across jurisdictions. Examples include - IT tools for linking, integrating, and displaying real-time epidemiologic, diagnostic, and clinical case-data, including geographical case-coding tools for monitoring disease spread - Applications in cell phones and other mobile devices for gathering public health data during outbreaks - Mathematical modeling tools for evaluating the likelihood and location of disease spread from animals to humans during animal outbreaks and for assessing the projected impact of an emerging outbreak or pandemic • Developing pre-event investigative performance measures and protocols (e.g., protocols for collecting data on risk factors, disease severity, and other clinical information) for use during outbreak investigations • Using lessons learned from outbreak responses (e.g., the 2009 H1N1 pandemic response) to strengthen overall preparedness, including distribution and use of emergency medical countermeasures (e.g., pharmaceuticals stored in the Strategic National Stockpile) and diagnostics development • Coordinating across CDC and with external partners to facilitate collaborative efforts for rapid response to infectious disease outbreaks of unknown etiology • Partnering with DHS to enhance state and local bioterrorism prevention and response capacity through improved cooperation and data-sharing between local public health and law enforcement groups. Priority 1D. Advance workforce development and training to sustain and strengthen public health practice The nation’s health depends on a public health workforce that is well trained, prepared, and able to address new and emerging threats. However, many state and local public health departments are understaffed and lack basic capacities for responding to crises (7–10). Critical areas for trained public health workers include disease surveillance, epidemiologic investigation, and laboratory detection; meaningful public health use of electronic networks and health IT tools; and use of new tools and channels for public health communications, including risk communication. CDC works with APHL, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), and many other partners to assist health departments in setting and meeting goals for workforce development and training. Fulfillment of these goals is advanced through proven capacity‐building programs such as the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases Cooperative Agreement (ELC) and the Emerging Infections Programs (EIP), as 12 | CDC ID Framework well as targeted epidemiology and laboratory training programs. Examples of current training programs include the following: • Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), the nation’s training program for applied epidemiology, including conducting disease surveillance and preventing, investigating, and controlling outbreaks. In addition to CDC assignments, EIS trainees are assigned to state and local health departments to assist with routine public health research activities and to provide assistance during large or complex public health emergencies. • Public Health Laboratory Research Fellowships, which provide training in laboratory detection, microbial characterization, and infectious disease research to public health laboratorians. Fellowships are conducted in collaboration with partner organizations including APHL and ASM. • CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Program, which trains recent graduates in the expanding field of applied epidemiology. Established in collaboration with the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the fellowship works to provide a high quality training experience and to secure long‐term career placement for fellows at the state or local level. • Public Health Associate Program, which provides recent college graduates with broad, hands‐ on experience in the day‐to‐day operations of state, tribal, local, and territorial public health departments, helping to train public health leaders of the future. Other key activities to advance workforce development and training include • Expanding access to high-quality public health e-learning products and training • Providing guidance and training for public health workers on integrating IT health tools into all aspects of public health practice and “e-health,” including disease surveillance and reporting, molecular diagnostics, molecular epidemiology, and emergency response • Assisting public health departments in transitioning to expanded roles in healthcare quality assurance, assessment, and policy development (e.g., training public health workers to serve as liaisons between health departments and hospitals to advance prevention through healthcare • Engaging partners to extend the reach of public health messages through the use of new communication tools and channels, e.g., working with - Medical/nursing schools and professional organizations to craft public health messages for use by healthcare providers - Behavioral scientists to develop public health campaigns designed to