Massachusetts

Blueprint for Public Health Excellence: Recommendations for Improved Effectiveness and Efficiency of Local Public Health Protections (Executive Summary)

This report was developed by the Special Commission on Local and Regional Health, a 25-member body tasked with assessing the public health systems in Massachusetts. The executive summary documents key commission findings, as well as recommendations for how to improve public health in Massachusetts. The report makes the case for a more regional approach to […]

Regional Consolidation of Local Government Services in New England: Opportunities and Challenges in Realizing Greater Cost Efficiencies

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

Structural and Organizational Characteristics Associated with Performance of Essential Public Health Services in Small Jurisdictions: Findings from a statewide study in Massachusetts.

This study examines jurisdictional, organizational, and structural characteristics associated with capacity to deliver 10 essential public health services in Massachusetts, a state where most local public health departments serve small municipalities. Hyde, J., Arsenault, L., Waggett, J., Mills, B., Cox, H., MacVarish, K., et. al. (2012). Structural and organizational characteristics associated with performance of essential […]

Strengthening Massachusetts Local Public Health: Moving from 351 to Double Digits

This presentation describes the roll-out of a regionalization program in Massachusetts to reduce the number of its public health districts and create a number of shared districts that would provide equal access to health care and retain the authority of local public boards of health. The presentation describes reasons for the process and how it […]

RE-ACT Podcast

This podcast by the Public Health Services and Systems Research (PHSSR) and the Public Health Practice-Based Research Networks (PHPBRN) presents an interview between Dr. Paul Halverson and Dr. Justeen Hyde, Co-Director of the Massachusetts Public Health Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN), discussing cross-jurisdictional sharing. The rationale for interest in CJS is discussed as are results from […]

The Quest for Cost-Efficient Local Government in New England: What Role for Regional Consolidation?

This presentation provides an overview of a larger report focused on the economies of scale and cost savings that could be achieved through consolidation of various public services. Kodrzycki, Y. K. (2013). The Quest for Cost-Efficient Local Government in New England: What Role for Regional Consolidation [presentation slides]. Boston, MA: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Regionalization: A Guide for Sharing Public Services in Massachusetts

This web article provides insight into thinking about regionalization of public services by focusing on municipal public health services in Massachusetts. It includes links to statutory requirements, types of sharing agreements, and other resources. Available online: http://www.regionalbestpractices.org/projects-will-benefit/public-health/