Local Health Department Infrastructure Study, 1999-2000

In August 1997, NACCHO received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to conduct a nationwide study of local public health infrastructure. One of the project's objectives was to generate synergies with existing data sources, such as the NACCHO Profile, and programs, such as MAPP and Turning Point, to create a useful and relevant resource on local public health systems.

Field testing of the instrument was conducted in September 1999. In November a mail-back survey was sent to a stratified, random sample of 1,100 local health departments. Local health officials were asked about their departments' program areas, staffing configurations, jurisdictional authority, performance of public health services, workforce training needs, and partnership and collaborative activities. A total of 694 responses were received for an overall response rate of 63 percent.

Findings from this study can be found in Local Public Health Agency Infrastructure: A Chartbook, which provides an extensive look at the infrastructure of our nation's local health departments. It includes more than 60 figures and tables on the following topics:

• Programs and services
• Workforce
• Partnerships and collaboration
• Community health assessment
• General characteristics of local public health agencies

The Chartbook can be used to compare a health department to the nationwide picture, educate others about local health departments, learn about local health departments' strengths and challenges, and help develop programs and policy for the community.