Definitions

Program Collaboration and Service Integration

A mechanism for organizing and blending interrelated health issues, activities, and prevention strategies to facilitate comprehensive delivery of services.

Program Collaboration

A mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship entered into by two or more programs, organizations, or organizational units to achieve common goals. The collaborative relationship usually includes a commitment to mutual relationships and goals, a jointly developed structure, shared responsibility, mutual authority and accountability for success, and sharing of resources and rewards.1

Service Integration

A distinct method of service delivery that provides persons with seamless services from multiple programs or areas within programs with­out repeated registration procedures, waiting period or other administrative barriers. It differs from system coordination, in which services from multiple agencies are provided but persons may have to visit different locations and register separately for each agency’s programs to obtain these services.2

Levels of Service Integration:

  • Nonintegrated Services (Level 1)
    Prevention, treatment, or care services provided for a single condition (HIV, viral hepatitis, STD, or TB) by a single program.
  • Core Integrated Services (Level 2)
    Integration of two or more CDC-recommended prevention, treatment or care services across HIV, STD, viral hepatitis, or TB infections.
  • Expanded Integrated Services (Level 3)
    Integration of multiple prevention, treat­ment, and care services for HIV, viral hepatitis, STD, and TB into general health and social services. CDC guidelines, standards, or recommendations for the delivery of these services may or may not exist.

Syndemics

Synergistically interacting epidemics.3

References

    1. Mattessich PW, Murray-Close M, Monsey BR. Collaboration: what makes it work. 2nd ed. St. Paul, MN: Amherst Wilder Foundation; 2001. Appendix A.
    2. Pindus N, Koralek R, Martinson K, Trutko J. Coordination and integration of welfare and workforce development systems. Washington, DC: Urban Institute; 2000. Available at: urban.orgexternal icon.
    3. Singer M, Clair S. Syndemics and public health: reconceptualizing disease in bio-social context. Med Anthropol Q. 2003;17(4):423-42. DOIexternal icon

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Page last reviewed: March 5, 2014