Lack of Federal Funding Cuts State Programs

Usually, the way I look at things is to see opportunity in defunding, in opposition to fear and negative over reaction.

I am a public health advocate but I support this so that you maintain your voice, and your choice, not the ram-policy-down-your-throat modality we usually get from the government folks, not matter what their level.

What this can do is strengthen your resolve to take back control of your health and how you look at how the health  care system works.  Nothing could be better!

Look to how well you can improve your dental health without water fluoridation.

Look at how well you can boost your immunity and stay healthy without vaccines.

Join with friends and neighbors to see how you can help and support each other, and those with needs greater than yours.

There are so many other options, and you CAN make the difference.

In the interim, don't fall prey to fear.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The economic crisis is threatening to erode progress state health departments have made in preparing for public health emergencies, U.S. researchers say.
Robert M. Pestronk, executive director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, says the Trust for America's Health's annual report card on states' ability to respond to such emergencies warns that the decade of progress made since the Sept. 11, 2001, and anthrax tragedies is threatened by a lack of funding.
From January 2008 to December 2009, local health departments lost 23,000 jobs to layoffs and attrition, roughly 15 percent of the entire local health department workforce. In the second half of 2009, 13,000 local health department employees were subjected to reduced hours or mandatory furloughs.
"As the report reveals, under very challenging circumstances state and local health departments have made progress. Yet, this report highlights serious gaps in our nation's ability to respond to health crises, from outbreaks of infectious disease to natural disasters," Pestronk says in a statement. "Unfortunately, a lack of federal, state, and local budget resources is straining an already fragile public health system. Because the first response to any public health emergency is a local one, we are concerned the federal failure to sustain public health preparedness funding at the state and local level will jeopardize future response."

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