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Essentials of the Lewiston-Auburn Public Health Committee (LAPHC) 1. Monitor health status to identify health problems; this is done by committee members sharing what they are “hearing and seeing” within their own respective professional entity. 2. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; this is done by providing factual health-focused data to members of the community, i.e., preventative information about H1N1; the school hand washing campaign; and the outreach event in Kennedy Park. 3. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and address health problems; this is done by collaboratively working with fellow LAPHC committee members and other community entities to collaboratively recognize a public health problem and work together to most effectively respond to it. 4. Develop policies and initiatives that support individual and community health efforts; this is done through utilizing the committee’s collective strength and expertise in building capacity and exercising follow-through when addressing a health concern, i.e., tobacco policy regarding Lewiston recreational areas. 5. Link people to needed personal health services; this is done by informing community members about health resources available to them, i.e., locations of flu shot clinics and accessibility to stop smoking assistance. 6. Evaluate population-based health services; this is done by discussing what health services are available and whether they are adequate and effective, while at the same time recognizing that there are many ways such services could be evaluated. 7. Research and report on new insights and innovative solutions to health problems; this is done by LAPHC members discussing current issues in local public health. 8. Advocate for public health care; this is done by collectively utilizing LAPHC voices to promote the availability and accessibility of needed health care. 9. Build capacity; this is done by continuing to bring knowledge and expertise “to the table” in an effort to address health care concerns.