"To gain a better understanding for how to modernize public health in America, in this report Trust for America's Health (TFAH) examines public health funding in the United States, key health facts in states, and recommendations for new approaches to promoting health and wellness. The report shows that public health funding is low across the country, but that it is substantially lower in some communities than others, which can exacerbate health differences. TFAH found a wide variation in federal, state, and local funding for public health. - p. 1.

The nation¿s public health system is responsible for improving the health of Americans. However, the public health system has been chronically underfunded in the U.S. This report examines how much the federal government spends to try to keep the country well. A state-by-state review of FY 2008 spending reveals that federal funding (through the CDC) for public health varies, often significantly, with a per capital low of $12.74 to a per capita of $52.78. The national average is $17.60 per person, a fraction of what is spent on health care costs. The report also examines state funding for public health. Extensive statistical information.

Currently, serious gaps exist in the nationâ€TMs ability to safeguard health, and with the current state of the economy, these gaps will only get worse, putting our families, communities, states and nation at risk. The country does not devote the resources needed to adequately help prevent disease and protect the health of Americans. [BREAK] In this report, Trust for America's Health (TFAH) examines how much the federal government spends to try to keep the country well. A state-by-state review of fiscal year 2008 spending reveals that federal funding (through U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for public health varies, often significantly, with a per capita low of $12.74 to a per capita high of $52.78. The national average is $17.60 per person, a fraction of what is spent on health care costs. The report also examines state funding for public health. Each state allocates and reports its budget in a different way. States also vary widely in the level of specific detail they provide, which makes comparisons across states a challenge. [BREAK] The median state spending on public health is $33.71 per person, with a range of $3.37 per person in Nevada to $172.21 per person in Hawaii. This analysis looks at ways to begin comparing budgets across states, and how increased transparency and accountability could help create an understanding of how spending on public health programs can have a positive impact on peopleâ€TMs health.

"To gain a better understanding for how to modernize public health in America, in this report Trust for America's Health (TFAH) examines public health funding in the United States, key health facts in states, and recommendations for new approaches to promoting health and wellness. The report shows that public health funding is low across the country, but that it is substantially lower in some communities than others, which can exacerbate health differences. TFAH found a wide variation in federal, state, and local funding for public health. - p. 1.

This report from Trust for America's Health (TFAH) identifies serious deficits in the U.S. public health system, particularly the significant differences in disease rates and in the funding of public health programs that exist between cities and between regions throughout the country. The authors intend the report to be a challenge “to policymakers and public health professionals to start spending smarter.â€ŗ TFAH examined funding that flows from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the states and the District of Columbia, as well as a wide range of key state-by-state health statistics. The authors report that average national per capita public health spending in 2005 through the CDC was $20.99, ranging from $53.36 in Alaska to $11.38 in Florida. The report urges the following: * Making increased and sustained support for essential disease and injury prevention services a higher national priority. * Systematically studying the connection between spending and health. * Facilitating targeted and smarter investments where most needed as a result of developing a better understanding of the health of Americans. TFAH estimates the need for an additional annual investment in public health of about $2.6 billion. Other experts have offered different estimates for needed additional public health investment. TFAH recommends the convening of an Intergovernmental Public Health Coordinating Committee that brings together the Secretary of Health and Human Services and state, tribal and local health department representatives to achieve a consensus on public health investment. The report includes listings, for each state and the District of Columbia, of health indicators and federal and state spending amounts for various public health needs.