Demonstrating excellence in the scholarship of practice-based service for public health

Practice-based scholarship in public health addresses community health issues. The accredited schools of public health (SPHs) have played a significant role in defining and implementing the multidisciplinary, interprofessional, ecological approach to improving the health and safety of communities through academic public health practice. These schools have addressed the challenges raised by the Institute of Medicine for enhancing academic-practice linkages.1,2 The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) established the Council of Public Health Practice Coordinators (Practice Council), whose members are delegates from each of the SPHs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH); there were 40 as of 2008. The Practice Council's priorities are to (1) promote greater commitment to scholarship in public health practice-based research, teaching, and service within SPHs, and (2) facilitate recognition and reward for practicebased scholarship in academic institutions. Extensive alignment of efforts by the Practice Council, SPHs, federal agencies, private institutions, and the practice sector have invigorated scholarship in academic public health practice.