Position Statements

Contribution of State and Local Laboratories in Development of Federal Food Safety Policy: Approved April 2007

States that APHL needs to have representation on food safety coordinating groups, since state laboratories form the backbone of national food safety capacity.

PulseNet and Foodborne Disease Surveillance: A Critical National Priority:  Approved April 2007
Recommends that HHS elevate PulseNet laboratory and associated epidemiology activities to a higher level in its food safety priorities and fund the program accordingly.

HIV Rapid Testing:  Approved February 2012

Supports rapid HIV testing in settings where turn-around time dictates immediate patient management decisions and where clients often do not return for testing results.  This support is predicated upon the implementation of a comprehensive quality assurance program at the testing site, to include but not be limited to appropriate training, quality control and competency evaluation.

Increase in TB Funding for Public Health Laboratories: Approved February 2012

Supports increased federal funding for tuberculosis (TB) control that includes specific support for public health laboratories in order to ensure and enhance diagnostic capability and training for laboratorians and public health personnel leading to improved prevention, control, testing and treatment.

Technology Transfer from Federal Agencies to Public Health Laboratories: Approved February 2012

States that standardized methods for screening, testing and confirmation for agents of emergent public health signifcance require the rapid development and transfer of technology and expertise from federal agencies to public health laboratories that serve as the first line of defense.

​The Role of the Public Health Laboratory in Pandemic Influenza: Preparedness and Response: Approved September 2006

Supports the inclusion of the public health laboratory in any public health response to pandemic influenza as well as all comprehensive local, state or federal planning for preparedness and response.

Newborn Screening Follow-up: Approved December 2011

Acknowledges and endorses the follow-up considerations previously published by the American Academy of Pediatrics Newborn Screening Task Force, the Council of Regional Networks for Genetic Services regarding newborn screening systems, and Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute. 

Parental Consent for Newborn Screening:  Approved December 2011

Supports the position that state-mandated newborn screening (NBS) should not require parental consent. If state programs elect to utilize the process of informed consent or dissent for screening, such parental consent or dissent should be clearly documented and maintained as part of the infant’s NBS record.

Quality Assurance in the Newborn Screening Laboratory: Approved December 2011

Recognizes the intense efforts to assure and sustain the highest quality of testing possible for newborn screening (NBS) for public health programs. Strongly supports the tenets of continuous quality improvement through internal and external quality assurance activities.

The Role of the Private Sector Laboratory in Public Health Newborn Screening Programs: Approved December 2011

Supports the position that there is a role for private sector laboratories in the provision of state public health newborn screening (NBS) services.

Public Health Laboratory Workforce Shortage:  Approved June 2006

Supports actions to improve the public health laboratory workforce crisis.