Wisconsin gets less federal public health dollars that most of the other states according to a report by a DC based health advocacy group. Trust for America's Health ranks the Badger State 43rd nationwide. Rich Hamburg, Director of Government Relations, says the money is allocated by the Centers for Disease Control based on priority funding and competitive grants.
He categorizes public health to include chronic disease treatment, water and food safety as well as health emergency preparedness. The health advocate says preventative programs such as tobacco control and nutrition need to be at the forefront of health care reform.
Hamburg says the good news is federal stimulus has $1 billion set aside in public health for states including immunization and evidence based community programs.
