Budget cuts on public health in Washington state

State and local budget cuts in Washington are det eriorating public health infrastructure that prevents disease, promotes healthy communities, and responds to emergencies.

A new report co-released recently by the Washington State Budget & Policy Center, the Washington State Public Health Association, and the Washington State Nurses Association shows programs and services have been reduced or eliminated in 24 of 31 local health jurisdictions in the state, where public health is primarily administered.

In addition, 23 of 31 local health jurisdictions cut back on staff.

“Public health must be a core part of state government if we want to have the ability to respond well to disease outbreaks, or to prevent food borne illness and promote the health of our vulnerable populations through programs and services,” says Laura Hitchcock, director of Washington State Public Health Association.

The report is based on two independent surveys of public health officials conducted by the Budget & Policy Center and the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials. Both surveys showed evidence of widespread cuts in services to support the health of lower income pregnant women, vulnerable children, and seniors through prevention and education programs. Significant cuts have also been made to staff including public health nurses, which impacts the ability of the public health system to handle sudden increases in demand, such as the upcoming mass effort to vaccinate against the H1N1 flu virus.

“The public health infrastructure, which is responsible for preventing disease, promoting health, and responding to emergencies, has been weakened by the reduction in resources,” says Stacey Schultz, policy analyst at the Budget & Policy Center and the author of the report. “This diminished ability to provide care, implement sound public health practices, and build capacity to meet increasing demand is taking a toll on Washington residents who rely on a strong public health sector for basic services.”

Public health is especially important during economic downturns when communities rely on public information and education to remain healthy. The prevention efforts of public health should not be undervalued.

“Public health is akin to wearing bike helmets instead of just treating brain injuries,” says Sofia Aragon, RN, Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor for the Washington State Nurses Association. “We cannot cut public health budgets that focus on prevention and expect to have a healthy public. These cuts can kill.”

The full report and press release are available on the Budget & Policy Center’s website: www.budgetandpolicy. org.