A new study reveals that Midwestern states receive less funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention than other states and seeks to unveil how federal public health dollars are spent.
The study, "Shortchanging America's Health: A State-By-State Look at How Federal Public Health Dollars Are Spent - 2008," was released by the Trust for America's Health and supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The study, designed to create an understanding of how spending on public health programs can result in a positive impact on people's health, listed the median state spending on public health as $33.26 per person, with a range from $3.46 (Nevada) to $152.66 (Hawaii).
"For too long the country has focused on caring for people after they become sick instead of trying to prevent disease," said James S. Marks, MD, senior vice president and director of the health group at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "Investing more in public health and prevention will help end skyrocketing medical care costs and ensure that all Americans live longer and healthier lives."
States and communities use CDC funds for a range of public health programs, including cancer and chronic disease prevention, health promotion, diabetes control, environmental health, HIV prevention, immunizations, infectious disease prevention and bioterrorism preparedness.
The study concluded that Midwestern states receive the least amount of funding from the CDC, at an average of $16.24 per person, while Western states receive an average of $19.74, Northeastern states receive an average of $23.3 and Southern states receive an average of $29.40.
Federal funding for disease and injury prevention programs in states averages out to $17.23 per person for fiscal year 2007. The study found, however, that CDC funding for individual states can vary by more than $56 per person.
For example, Alaska receives more than any other state at $69.76 per person, while Kansas receives the least at $13.61 per person.
"Every American should have the opportunity to be as healthy as he or she can be. Every community should be safe from threats to its health," said Jeff Levi, executive director of the Trust for America's Health. "If we're serious about improving the health of Americans, we need to make a much bigger investment in disease prevention efforts in every state and every region."
The survey notes that because states are required to maintain balanced budgets, it limits their ability to significantly alter funding levels for public health unless other adjustments are made. One way to combat this would be for the government to step in and provide increased funding for public health programs, both nationally and at the state level. The survey outlines ways to develop the ongoing funding of public health at the federal level.
Approximately 80 percent of CDC funds are distributed to state and local health agencies through grants or cooperative agreement programs. CDC is the lead federal agency devoted to disease prevention and control. The agency distributes funds in two ways, through formulas based on burden of disease or population, and through competitive processes where states and communities apply for limited funds.