Objectives: We assessed the effect of public health leadership training on the capacity of public health leaders to perform competencies derived from the list of "Ten Essential Public Health Services" presented in 1994 by the steering committee of the Public Health Functions Project.
Methods: Graduating scholars of the Northeast Public Health Leadership Institute were surveyed to determine differences in skill level in 15 competency areas before and after training. Surveys were completed after program completion.
Results: The training program improved the skill levels of participants in all 15 competency areas. A relation also was detected between the frequency of use of the competency and the improvement experienced.
Conclusions: Public health leadership training programs are effective in improving the skills of public health workers.