Public Health's decline   
 

While the numbers of unemployed and uninsured Georgians have increased, and the duties and expectations of public health have expanded, state funding for public health has been cut repeatedly during the past decade, most recently in the FY 2011 budget. The Division of Public Health's (DPH) general fund budget was cut from $158.6 million to about $148.9 million, a reduction of about $9.75 million.

More than 1,000 public health positions across the state are vacant… salaries are low and turnover is high… and prevention programs that can pay for themselves have been cut or are in jeopardy.

A five-year period from FY 2003 to FY 2007 exemplifies what has happened.

According to Census Bureau estimates, Georgia’s population increased by approximately 800,000 (9.4%) between 2003 and 2007. But during the same period per capita state public health expenditures fell by 22.6%, from $22.86 to $17.68 – an $18.1 million decrease in General Fund expenditures. 

While there was substantial growth in federal funds for public health during the five-year period, state general fund expenditures declined by 10.5%.  There were significant cuts in several DPH programs including smoking prevention, adolescent health and cancer control.