The Trust for America’s Health recently released A Funding Crisis for Public Health and Safety: State-by-State Public Health Funding and Key Health Facts, 2017, which found that core funding for disease prevention and health promotion programs has declined by around $580 million federally and has remained flat in states since 2010 (adjusting for inflation).
“Major budgetary cuts have hampered the ability of public health agencies to protect and improve the nation’s health – impeding the response to pressing health concerns and the rising costs of treating preventable illnesses and injuries,” said John Auerbach, president and CEO, of TFAH. “It is painfully clear that the decrease in federal spending has not led to higher state spending for public health. Rather, the nation has doubled down on cuts at both levels, leaving us vulnerable to the next public health crisis. Cutting public health programs is shortsighted – and we will all pay the price over time.”
Download the full report to view all findings, as well as key recommendations for achieving a modern public health system.