The virtual Forum, Massachusetts Local Public Health Infrastructure: Protecting Public Health and Preparing for the Next Pandemic, was held Wednesday, January 26, 2022.
There are 351 local public health entities in Massachusetts with considerable variation in capacity and strong evidence that public health goals are not being adequately met. The Forum and issue brief will provide an overview of the local public health infrastructure and capacity. It will evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the current system and evaluate alternative models to improve efficiency and outcomes. It will make recommendations based on public policy options currently under consideration in the state legislature. The work will be informed by the system's efforts to help address the COVID pandemic.
This event is co-sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences. It was also made possible by generous funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Baystate Health.
UMass Amherst SPHHS Presentation Slides: Local Public Health in Massachusetts
Media Advisory: Forum to Present Recommendations for Improving State’s Local Public Health Systems