MD Preparation for Outbreaks Gets Top Marks

Maryland was one of five states to receive high scores for capability to respond to major infectious threats in the annual report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health. States were rated on 10 key public health measures including communication and coordination responses to threats, vaccination rates, funding for public health and infections from contact with the health care system. As reported in Governing:

The two groups measure states using 10 indicators that often change substantially each year, depending on available data and the relevance of each issue. That makes it hard to draw direct comparisons with previous years, though this year 25 states scored 5 or lower. Last year, 34 states had scores five or lower. States receive a point for each indicator. None received a perfect score, but five scored eight out of 10, better than last year, when only New Hampshire scored an eight or higher. States scoring the highest this year included Maryland, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia. The worst score was Arkansas, at two.

Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health
Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health

For more information read the article in Governing and the full report. Local health departments and public health threats will be discussed at MACo’s Winter Conference held January 7-9, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD. The session “Public Health Threats: What Every Public Official Should Know” will focus on the fundamentals of the public health departments and their role in protecting the health of county citizens. Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:

Questions? Contact Meetings & Events Director Virginia White.