Having Local Health Departments Leads to Better Health Outcomes: A Scientific Study

There has long been a debate whether a focus on public health at the local level really makes a difference in health outcomes. Joel Pszczolkowski, a benefits analyst with Taylor Oswald, collaborated with other researchers to shed some light on the issue.

The findings, published in the journal Springer’s Discover Public Health, were interesting. The group used public data and found that, overall, when communities invest in public health, it leads to measurable improvements in health outcomes overall.

This study compared the public health outcomes in Pennsylvania counties with a local health department and those without. About half, 54%, of Pennsylvanians do not have access to or services provided by a local health department.

Here’s what the research found.

When public health spending increases, deaths from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer decrease.

In counties without a local health department:

• More adults are obese
• More residents lack health insurance
• Fewer people get the flu vaccine
• Infant mortality is higher
• More high school seniors admitted to at least trying smoking one time

Read the full study results here.