Sharing responsibility for the public's health: a new perspective from the Institute of Medicine.

The health of a community is a shared responsibility of many entities. Within this context, specific entities should identify, and be held accountable for, the actions they can take to contribute toward the community's health. Governmental public health agencies, especially at the state and local levels, can take the lead in getting public and private community organizations to advance the health of the community, and should play a leadership role by developing partnerships with managed care organizations and community-based organizations.