Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

State Faces Challenges to Improving Community Public Health in Florida

Report 03-71, December 2003




Report Summary

  • Over the past 10 years, several key public health outcomes in Florida have improved. For example, infant mortality and births to teens have been reduced and infectious disease outcomes have improved. However, despite this improvement, in Fiscal Year 2002-03, the program met legislative standards for only 5 of its 13 PB2 outcome measures. In addition, Florida falls below the national average on many critical public health indicators.
  • Three barriers impede the Department of Health's ability to affect the public health of Floridians: many county health departments have not conducted assessments to identify and prioritize local health care needs; the department allocates some funds to county health departments using outdated allocation methodologies; and some county health departments need assistance to identify and garner supplemental funds to address local needs. In addition, the department can better ensure continuous improvement of health outcomes by modifying its quality improvement process for county health departments and developing a compendium of best practices.


Related Reports
  1. OPPAGA Report: Steps Have Been Taken to Improve Community Public Health Infrastructure Throughout Florida
    Report 06-53 June 2006
  2. Florida's Public Health Preparedness Has Improved; Further Adjustments Needed
    Report 04-75 November 2004
  3. Counterfeit and Diverted Drugs Threaten Public Health and Waste State Dollars
    Report 03-18 February 2003
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
social services, public health, community public health, maternal child health, infectious diseases, AIDs, HIV, health status, environmental health, community health assessments, health, public health, drugs, prescription drugs, diversionk counterfeiting, fraud, drug regulation