Health System Collaboration with Public Health Entities
Across the United States, hospitals and health systems are under pressure to improve community health while facing mounting financial constraints. Yet some of the most powerful partners in this work — local health departments (LHDs) — are often underutilized. These organizations lead disease prevention, manage outbreaks, ensure water and food safety, and deliver health education, forming a vital but complex public health network.
LHDs face significant and persistent challenges. Public health funding is often unstable and frequently cut during economic downturns. This fragmentation directly affects collaboration: The full scope of local health departments’ prevention-focused work is not always understood by potential partners, such as hospitals and health systems.
Download the full report to discover how stronger hospital-LHD partnerships can drive better community health outcomes. Click on the following link to get your copy:
