HPIO fact sheets outlines ways policymakers can strengthen public health in Ohio

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – A new fact sheet from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, “A Closer Look at Public Health and Prevention,”  uses data from the 2021 Health Value Dashboard to describe the challenges facing public health in Ohio and outlines opportunities for addressing them. 

“From addressing the addiction crisis to combatting infectious disease, public health and prevention play an important role in ensuring that Ohioans live longer, healthier lives and rely less on clinical care,” according to the fact sheet. “While Ohio has made some improvements in preventing illness and injuries, policymakers and others can take additional actions to strengthen Ohio’s public health system.”

The fact sheet provides additional information on the public health and prevention metrics included in HPIO’s 2021 Health Value Dashboard, with a focus on state and local public health. 

Public health and prevention is one of seven topic areas included in the 2021 Health Value Dashboard. Ohio’s strengths in this area include decreases in opioid prescribing and senior falls. Overall, however, Ohio performed worse than many other states, ranking 32nd out of 50 states and D.C. on an overall ranking of public health and prevention metrics. Public health workforce, funding and emergency preparedness and response stand out as areas needing improvement. 

Policymakers have many opportunities to strengthen Ohio’s public health system at the state and local levels. The fact sheet outlines those policy options in the following areas:

• Local workforce
• State workforce
• Actionable data

“These improvements will help Ohioans to be more prepared to prevent and respond to future health threats,” the fact sheet states. “In addition, they will set a stronger foundation for Ohio to become a leader in health value through implementation of evidence-informed policies identified in the 2021 Health Value Dashboard, such as K-12 student wellness, lead hazard mitigation and improved access to healthy food.” 

For questions about the fact sheet, or if you would like to talk with authors of the report, please call or text Nick Wiselogel at 614.530.9918 or email nwiselogel@hpio.net.   

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