No Longer Invisible: The Critical Role of Local Health Departments In Responding to COVID-19

April 16, 2020– When the rubber meets the road, LHDs are at the forefront of responding to outbreaks and critical for mitigating the spread of infection and its sequela. Many of the activities needed to slow the epidemic and minimize its impact on communities are part of LHDs’ toolbox. However, years of budget cuts and underinvestment in public health have made it challenging for LHDs to maintain these foundational capabilities—let alone have the surge capacity to address the COVID-19 crisis. 

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20200408.106373/full/