The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65347

Perri S Leviss, MPM¹, Lloyd F. Novick, MD, MPH², Jo Ann Bennison, RN, MS³, Cristina Dyer-Drobnack, MPH³, and Janet Kaminski, MPH³. (1) Independent Consultant, 40 Branford Road, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706, (2) Onondaga County Health Department, 421 Montgomery St, Civic Center, 9th Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202, 315-435-3155, hllnovi@health.ongov.net, (3) Executive Director, NYS Association of County Health Officials, New York State Association of County Health Officials, One United Way, Pine West Plaza, Albany, NY 12205-5555

Historically, there has been little national, standardized data collection on the financing of public health. In part this is due to the diverse ways in which public health is organized and funded across the country. The absence of public health finance data has in part enabled local, State, and national governments to reduce financial support at the same time that it has placed additional responsibilities on local public health departments to coordinate bioterrorism/disaster plans, small pox inoculations, and West Nile virus outbreaks.

In an effort to understand fiscal trends for local health departments in New York State, the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO) developed and administered a survey in December 2002 that collected data on spending and funding sources in 2000 – 2002. Of the 58 surveys distributed, NYSACHO had a response rate of over 75%. Findings from the survey suggest that larger health departments increased their revenues over the 3 year period while small rural health departments were most vulnerable to funding reductions.

The survey instrument developed by NYSACHO presents a national model for States and local public health departments to evaluate their own resources/needs and to promote information exchange within and between localities. The methodology and the baseline that was established through the survey proved to be invaluable when estimating the impact of the New York State FY 04 Executive Budget. By encouraging localities to collect uniform financial data sets, public health will be able to support stable and appropriate funding.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participants will:
• Know the benefits and barriers of administering a survey to collect public health financial data.
• Identify the steps to develop and distribute a similar survey in their own communities.
• Create a list of proposed data tables for analysis in their communities.
• Assess the applicability of the New York State survey for other states and for national distribution.
• Recognize the uses and importance for public health finance data in policy as well as budget decisions.

Keywords: Financing, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.