Taking training seriously: a policy statement on public health training by the Joint Council of Governmental Public Health Agencies.

: Continuing education and on-the-job training in public health has suffered serious neglect over the past years. As a result, many state and local public health entities have failed to keep step with emerging challenges facing the public's health--challenges that require new and innovative approaches to prevention and treatment. In this article, the Joint Council of Governmental Public Health Agencies seeks to affirm the importance of public health training by examining barriers to training; identifying areas in which training should be emphasized; providing examples of successful training programs; and recommending ways in which public health leaders can revitalize training programs.