American Samoa § 13.0202 - Purposes.

§ 13.0202. Purposes.

The purpose of this act is to: (a) Identify and strengthen the public health infrastructure to improve the public’s health; (b) Establish the department’s mission for providing essential public health services and functions through the department and in collaboration with federal agencies, American Samoa Government (ASG) agencies, public and private sector partners and volunteers; (c) Identify roles and responsibilities of the department to provide essential public health services and functions while also respecting individual rights; (d) Establish operational standards for the department that are directly related to improvements in public health outcomes or other measures; (e) Develop and provide effective training and credentialing for department personnel and other members of the public health workforce in the Territory; (f) Comprehensively plan and set priorities for improving and sustaining the public’s health through the performance of essential public health services and functions using ongoing, inclusive, and systematic planning processes; (g) Promote and build strong relationships between the department, ASG agencies, public and private sector partners and volunteers; (h) Promote cooperation and formal collaborative agreements between the department and federal, ASG agencies, public and private sector partners and volunteers regarding public health planning, priority setting, information and data sharing, reporting, resource allocation, funding, service delivery, jurisdiction, and other matters addressed in this act; (i) Create scientifically-sound, legally-sound and effective operating procedures for the department for the prevention and control of conditions of public health importance at the individual and community levels that are consistent with guiding principles authorizing the responsible use of procedures and respect for individual rights; (j) Address privacy and security issues arising from the acquisition, use, disclosure, and storage of identifiable health information by the department; (k) Require regular reporting and accountability for the department.