Impact of the 2008–2010 Economic Recession on Local Health Departments

Authors

Rachel Willard, National Association of County and City Health Officials
Gulzar H. Shah, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Carolyn J. Leep, National Association of County and City Health OfficialsFollow
Leighton Ku, George Washington University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2012

Publication Title

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

DOI

10.1097/PHH.0b013e3182461cf2

ISSN

1550-5022

Abstract

We measured the impact of the 2008–2010 economic recession on local health departments (LHDs) across the United States. Between 2008 and 2010, we conducted 3 Web-based, cross-sectional surveys of a nationally representative sample of LHDs to assess cuts to budgets, workforce, and programs. By early 2010, more than half of the LHDs (53%) were experiencing cuts to their core funding. In excess of 23 000 LHDs jobs were lost in 2008–2009. All programmatic areas were affected by cuts, and more than half of the LHDs had to reduce or eliminate at least 1 programmatic area. The capacity of LHDs to provide core public health services was undermined by the economic recession.

Recommended Citation

Willard, Rachel, Gulzar H. Shah, Carolyn J. Leep, Leighton Ku. 2012. "Impact of the 2008–2010 Economic Recession on Local Health Departments." Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 18 (2): 106-114. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0b013e3182461cf2
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/health-policy-facpubs/27