Developing a Cost Model for Local Public Health

Although it is clearly understood and widely agreed that there is not enough funding in the current public health system, the amount of funding necessary has never been determined. Public health leaders must be prepared to make the case for adequate funding and be prepared to show the magnitude of funding changes needed. During this presentation, participants will learn about a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse project that embraced a partnership approach to complete a time series analysis of local public heatlh cost performance and outcomes and a gaps analysis of underfunded and not funded public health services. Once the gap was determined, a first ever cost model was developed that answered the question: “How much would it cost to provide Essential Local Activities in Minnesota?”