262847 Association between state health agency priorities and spending on chronic disease

Monday, October 29, 2012

Rivka Liss-Levinson, PhD , Research and Evaluation, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Arlington, VA
Katie Sellers, DrPH, CPH , Research and Evaluation, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Arlington, VA
Julia Pekarsky Schneider, MPH , Prevention and Health Promotion, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Arlington, VA
Alison Mendoza, MPH, CPH , Research and Evaluation, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Arlington, VA
James A. Pearsol, M Ed , Chief Program Officer, Performance Team, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Arlington, VA
Paul Jarris, MD , The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Arlington, VA
Research literature supporting the importance of reducing the prevalence of chronic disease to increase the overall health of Americans is clear and well-substantiated. State health agencies (SHAs) play an integral role in preventing chronic disease, but must both prioritize chronic disease and spend adequate money on associated programs to be effective. The aim of the current study is to examine the extent to which SHA priorities related to chronic disease are aligned with SHA spending on chronic disease.

In 2010, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) conducted an online survey of SHAs to document their structure, functions and resources. Among the 300 survey items, respondents were asked to indicate the top five priorities for their SHA, and the amount of money spent on chronic disease prevention.

Data were analyzed to calculate the percent of SHA total expenditures spent on chronic disease. The top five priorities for each state were coded to determine the number of priorities each state listed related to chronic disease. Correlations between percent spending and number of priorities were calculated to examine the relationship between chronic disease priorities and spending.

Analyses indicate that while states vary widely in their spending on chronic disease, the strong prioritization of prevention of chronic disease among SHAs is not equally reflected in spending on chronic disease.

Results will be discussed in the context of challenges that SHAs face in allocating money to chronic disease prevention and the focus in the American healthcare system on treatment rather than prevention.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Public health administration or related administration
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe trends in state health agency priorities and spending on chronic disease 2. Compare the prioritization of chronic disease prevention and spending on chronic disease among state health agencies 3. Discuss possible explanations for the mismatch between prioritization and spending on chronic disease

Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Financing

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Director of Survey Research at ASTHO and for the past year have had primary responsibility for the design and implementation of the ASTHO Profile Survey, the source of the data analyzed for the present project. Prior to joining ASTHO, my work at a research institute focused on the areas of chronic disease prevention and health promotion. I have presented papers at a variety of national conferences.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3336.0: Roundtable Session II - Policy, Program Evaluation and Revision and Financial Resource Management in Public Health Agencies