Open AccessNew York State Local Health Department Preparedness for and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: An In-Progress Review
Author(s) -
Sarah Ravenhall,
Nicole Levy,
Kathryn Simpson,
Molly Fleming,
Mayela Arana,
Peggy DiManno,
Yesenia Grijalva,
Marita Murrman
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of public health management and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.771
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1550-5022
pISSN - 1078-4659
DOI - 10.1097/phh.0000000000001340
Subject(s) - preparedness , pandemic , workforce , public health , health department , personal protective equipment , covid-19 , emergency management , public relations , political science , medical emergency , medicine , business , nursing , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
A mixed-methods approach was taken to describe lessons learned by local health department leaders during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York State and to document leaders' assessments of their departments' emergency preparedness capabilities and capacities. Leaders participating in a survey rated the effectiveness of their department's capabilities and capacities in administrative and public health preparedness, epidemiology, and communications on a scale from 1 to 5; those partaking in focus groups answered open-ended questions about the same 4 topics. Subjects rated intragovernmental activities most effective ( = 4.41, SD = 0.83) and reported receiving assistance from other county agencies. They rated level of supplies least effective ( = 3.03, SD = 1.01), describing low supply levels and inequitable distribution of testing materials and personal protective equipment among regions. Local health departments in New York require more state and federal aid to maintain the public health workforce in preparation for future emergencies.