JPHMP special issue addresses increasing impact of economic recession on public health agencies

"Continued cuts to public health services will have an unsatisfactory impact on the health of individuals and the community," states Dr. Lloyd F. Novick, MD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief. "There is a heightened vulnerability at the present time for adverse health outcomes. Above all, the realization of the vital need to maintain resources for our public health delivery system is imperative."

The progressive effect of funding shortfalls and workforce reduction are illustrated in " Impact of the 2008-2010 Economic Recession on Local Health Departments," by Drs. Rachel Willard, University of California, Gulzar H. Shah and Carolyn Leep, National Association for County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), and Leighton Ku, George Washington University. Citing data from surveys by the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the article states that in 2009, 23,000 jobs - 15% of the workforce - in local public health agencies were eliminated , and that by 2010, 53% of agencies experienced reduced core funding. Agencies are rising to these challenges through strategic planning, but still face difficult decisions. As illustrated in "Tough Choices in Tough Times: Enhancing Public Health Value in an Era of Declining Resources," by Drs. Paul Kuehnert and Karen McConnaughay of Illinois' Kane County Health Department, and " Attempts by One Local Health Department to Provide Only Essential Public Health Services: A 10-Year Retrospective Case Study," by Drs. Matt Richardson of the Department of Health of Amarillo, Texas, Rush Pierce, University of New Mexico , and Nuha Lackan, University of North Texas, agencies must make crucial cuts and carefully manage resources in order to continue to provide public service.

Further reduction in federal funding will continue to impact agency funding and function at the state and local levels, resulting in the decreased capacity of agencies to provide vital public services and programs. Says Willard, "The current, alarming trend of diminishing resources, reduced workforce and impaired capacity to maintain public health programs pose major hurdles for local agencies, with consequences that will be felt well into the future."

"Research confirms the very serious impact of the recession on local public health departments, impairing their support of the communities that rely on them," says Robert M. Pestronk, Executive Director, National Association of County and City Health Officials. "While these departments are performing to the utmost of their ability to constructively meet new challenges, the necessity for adequate resources is paramount to maintain their essential work in effective local public health and clinical care systems. I commend the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice's special issue for providing focused perspective on this important topic."