In 2011, the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Bureau received a CDC grant to closely examine their internal processes, so they could regionalize their work and combine individual contracts, with the ultimate goal of better addressing chronic disease prevention and health promotion at the local level.
This report provides an overview of the eight major strategic and operational challenges the newly formed Summit County Public Health Department faced as it worked through its first year of transition after consolidating three local public health districts into a unified public health organization. The challenges involved implementing new overall strategic decisions, adjusting personnel and […]
This policy forum featured new research by the New England Public Policy Center exploring if and how New England local governments could save through greater consolidation of public safety, public health, and high-level government administration services. Available online: http://www.bostonfed.org/economic/neppc/conferences/2013/regional-consolidation/index.htm
This article briefly examines the lessons learned from regionalization for police and fire services, and draws comparisons to public health. It includes case studies to highlight examples of regionalization outcomes related to networking, coordination, standardization, and centralization of public health services. Available online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18348711?dopt=Abstract Koh, H.K., Elqura, L.J., Judge, C.M., & Stoto, M.A. (2008). Regionalization […]
This article examines case studies of regional preparedness structures in the Washington metro area to understand how they have been organized, implemented and governed, as well as to assess their likely impact on public health preparedness and public health systems generally. It reports on increased public health activities in the area since 9/11 and their […]
This brief reports on the effects of 9/11 on preparedness and regionalization. It examines a series of comparative case studies in four areas that suggest regionalization can improve both preparedness and public health in general. Available online: https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2011/04/april-issue-of-health-affairs-focuses-on-patient-safety-and-heal/regionalization-in-local-public-health-systems.html California Health Policy Forum. (2007). Regionalization in Local Public Health Systems.
Based on an assessment of three local health departments, Kent State University personnel make recommendations for public health leaders who are consolidating local health agencies. Recommendations include 1) defining and collecting baseline information, 2) carefully planning the process of implementation, and 3) addressing challenges (i.e., leadership, credibility, assessment of progress). Call the Center for Sharing […]
This report provides a historical narrative of the process of consolidating three local health departments into one for an entire county. It provides details of how the political, legal, fiscal and administrative challenges to obtaining approval of the merger and of implementing it were met. Harvard Kennedy School. (2012). The Consolidation of the Health Departments […]
This briefing report is a retrospective review of the process, challenges and outcomes of the consolidation of three health departments.
This report examines regionalization experiences of government services providers for lessons learned and best practices. It analyzes models in the fields of education, public safety, regional councils, water/waste management and economic development, and provides 17 detailed case studies. Kaufman, N. J. (2010). Regionalization of Government Services: Lessons Learned & Application for Public Health Service Delivery. […]