In the public health continuum, what is the first responsibility that public health officials must satisfy to improve the health of a community?

A) Identify problems that affect the health of the population in question
B) Design a plan for remediating the disturbances that cause a population's health to decline
C) Integrate their work with EMS services to provide outpatient home care services designed to improve health
D) Meet with city administrators to determine which type of public health budget will be provided so cost-effective plans can be established

A) Identify problems that affect the health of the population in question