Public Health Finance

Sustainability of the governmental public health system is dependent principally on the financial health of state and local public health agencies. This is a challenge since public health programs and services are often provided in fiscally strapped environments (e.g., government revenue declines, budget reductions, economic recessions, unfunded mandates). NACCHO's research and engagement with LHDs across the country affords it a national perspective on the local public health financial situation. This website provides resources to help LHDs sharpen their big picture understanding of local public health finance and enhance their individual organizational financial health.

Effective utilization of resources requires that public health professionals have access to timely, reliable, and uniform data to assess agency and system conditions and to use that information to support decisions. Development of the Public Health Uniform National Data System (PHUND$) responds to that need.

PHUND$ is a web-based public health financial data collection and analysis portal. PHUND$ was created to:

• Provide public health agencies with the ability to proactively assess their financial and operational performance
• Aid NACCHO in describing and monitoring the financial health and sustainability of the public health system 
• Promote uniform public health financial management practices
• Advance practices that promote quality in public health
• Increase public health agency transparency

Confidentiality is a core value of PHUND$ and, as such, data collected in PHUND$ is identifiable only by the reporting agency and NACCHO.

• "Anatomy of a Public Health Agency Turnaround: The Case of the General Health District in Mahoning County"
  (Journal of Public Health Management and Practice)
• For the Public's Health: Investing in a Healthier Future
  
• Public Health Finance & Management
• "Public Health Financial Management Competencies"
  (Journal of Public Health Management and Practice)
• Public Health National Center for Innovations