Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB)

The Oklahoma state Department of Health (OSDH) was the first state health department to be awarded accreditation status by the Public Health Accreditation Board.

• The measurement of health department performance against a set of nationally recognized, practice – focused and evidence – based standards.
• The issuance of recognition of achievement of accreditation within a specified period by a nationally recognized entity.
• The continual development, revision, and distribution of public health standards.

A PHAB – accredited public health department is accredited for five years.  PHAB’s initial accreditation assesses a health department’s capacity to carry out the ten Essential Public Health Services; manage an effective health department; and, maintain strong and effective communications with the governing entity. 

• Stimulated quality and performance improvement
• Improved relationships with local community stakeholders
• Improved accountability to external stakeholders
• Improved identification of strengths and weaknesses
• Validated the work that staff do
• Better positioned the health department to obtain additional funding

The OSDH is currently working on achieving reaccreditation.  On June 24, 2019, OSDH successfully submitted its application for Reaccreditation.

Reaccreditation is necessary for a health department to continue to be designated as accredited. Reaccreditation focuses on assessment of an accredited health departments continued improvement and advancement thereby becoming increasingly effective at improving the health of the population they serve.  Reaccreditation is designed to provide an understanding of how the health department functions; its overarching and department-wide methods, systems, policies, procedures, structures, routines, practices etc.

Oklahoma State Department of Health
Health Policy, Planning & Partnerships
Internal Partnerships
1000 NE 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
(405) 271-9444