The Association of Public Health Laboratories
The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) works to safeguard the public's health by strengthening public health laboratories in the United States and across the world. In collaboration with members, APHL advances laboratory systems and practices, and promotes policies that support healthy communities. Its membership includes state and local public health laboratories, environmental laboratories and others that conduct testing of public health significance. Individuals and international representatives also participate in the association. APHL is a non-profit, 501(C)(3) organization with a history of over fifty years.
APHL Strategic Plan 2006-2009
APHL’s 2006-2009 strategic plan delineates goals and prioritized actions to advance state and local government laboratories serving the public’s health. The association’s chief goal is to develop strategies to address the critical, nationwide shortage of laboratory leaders and other senior laboratory professionals.
APHL: Leading Policy, Linking Laboratories
APHL stands for a strong public health system that integrates public health laboratories as a vital resource to protect against diseases and other health threats. The association connects US public health laboratories in all 50 states and six territories, linking them with federal partners, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. APHL is active in the following areas:
Policy Analysis. APHL conducts research on the status of public health laboratories and disseminates its findings in reports, briefs and Web articles. In addition, it issues statements on pending legislation and regulations, provides expert testimony, comments on proposed rulemaking, and disseminates educational materials on priority issues.
Information/Publications. Information/Publications. APHL offers policy makers, the media, health organizations, government agencies and others authoritative information on public health laboratories and related issues, plus the expert opinion of members and staff. Areas of expertise include infectious disease, emergency preparedness, environmental health, newborn screening, and building laboratory capacity in the United States and under-resourced countries. The association publishes electronic and print newsletters, issue briefs, training materials, survey reports, conference proceedings and other resources. Click here to view a list of selected APHL publications.
Leadership Development. APHL directs the National Center for Public Health Laboratory Leadership, a new resource designed to develop leaders and expand knowledge of public health laboratory administration. The association also manages fellowship and traineeship programs that prepare laboratory scientists for a career in public health and advance the skills of mid-level professionals.
Laboratory Training. In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, APHL sponsors the National Laboratory Training Network (NLTN), which offers high quality, low-cost continuing education on priority topics. The NLTN serves professionals from medical, public health and environmental laboratories in the US and its territories.
National Conferences. APHL convenes national conferences and colloquia on critical issues in laboratory science. Recent meetings have examined the laboratory implications of molecular diagnostics, public health informatics, tuberculosis, food safety, chemical terrorism and biomonitoring.
Technical Assistance, Domestic. APHL functions as a member resource center and a liaison between member laboratories, federal officials and other key partners. The association researches and responds to inquiries, represents members at national forums, and provides guidance on federal protocols and directives. Additionally, APHL advises federal agencies on development and implementation of national health initiatives that involve public health laboratories.
Technical Assistance, International. APHL works with government health departments to assure quality and consistency of testing, data reporting and exchange and to promote effective coordination among members of the public health system. APHL members provide in-country technical assistance on laboratory methodologies and techniques, management, quality assurance, safety and other essential topics.