Shrinking state health department budgets, brought on by the current economic downturn, are forcing cuts in critical public health programs and reductions in workforce that will have wide ranging effects.
Shrinking state health department budgets, brought on by the current economic downturn, are forcing cuts in critical public health programs and reductions in workforce that will have wide ranging effects. This is according to a recent survey of state and territorial health agencies, conducted by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). According to the ASTHO survey:
- Nearly 30% of states’ FY08 health department budgets were cut below their FY07 level.
- Almost two-thirds of state health departments expect FY09 budgets to be cut below their FY08 level.
- All health departments that weathered cuts in FY08 expect further cuts in FY09.
- 22% of health departments expect at least a cut of at least 10% for FY09.
- Federal dollars make up about half of the average state’s public health budget.
For more information on the ASTHO survey,
click here.