From the Editor

I'm writing this note on Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Like all new years, Rosh Hashana is a time to reflect, take stock of the days past, and voice hope for the days ahead. This issue of Northwest Public Health does just that, with stories that give a sense of the health of public health in each of the six states and Indian country in our region. Taking stock is a good, but all too often rare, activity … our busy lives and demanding organizations offer little space to consider the wisdom of our decisions. The result is often misplaced priorities and misguided actions.

The stories you'll find in this issue, however, paint a picture of a field that has and continues to ponder its role, responsibilities, and programs in improving population health and well-being. (Is this propensity toward self-reflection in public health because its professionals are naturally introspective or a necessity forced by its status as the "poor stepchild" of the health system?) Consider Alaska, where tribal health authorities are no longer being viewed as separate and distinct, but as key to building a stronger public health system (Saylor). Or look at Wyoming, where public health is giving increased attention to older adult services in the face of projections that it is to become the "oldest" state in the nation (Morrow).

In his Viewpoint essay, Paul Wiesner recounts a slice of public health's history when public health nurses proudly made home and community visits and ministered to the sick, and wonders whether the current emphasis on "system improvement" will be as satisfying as those good old days. As if in answer, the reports from Idaho (Juntunen, Welcker, and Moehrle), Montana (Dunwell, et al.), and Oregon (Rink) convey an excitement for the "new" public health that works through partnerships and coalitions that extend its ability to improve health. Likewise, the story from Washington (Van Buren and Adair) is about a successful collaboration among agencies that had not worked much together before.

I'll also take this opportunity to take stock. Last December I stepped down as director of the UW School of Public Health's Health Policy Analysis Program after 15 years. HPAP, as it has fondly been called, has served the health policy community in Washington, the Northwest, and nationally for 30 years with objective information and analysis about key policy issues in public health and medical care. This fall, a committee will deliver a report to Dean Wahl about how the School should strengthen its role in policy—in teaching, research, and service—in response to a strategic planning effort she initiated. At this writing, the report is still in draft form, but it will likely make two points. First, the funding environment for policy analysis has changed considerably, requiring the school to seek new approaches for its health policy work. Second, to strengthen UW's health policy portfolio, dissemination and translation activities need to be better integrated with the research enterprise. The committee will be recommending how this can be done, which will entail changes in how the School deploys and organizes its resources. Although it is likely that the HPAP name will end, I hope its legacy of service to policy makers will continue for years to come.

I trust you will find this issue of Northwest Public Health interesting and useful. As always, we welcome and encourage your comments.

Aaron Katz, Editor-in-Chief
Director, UW Health Policy Analysis Program