The 2024 Preparedness Profile Study reveals a dual reality for the nation's 3,300 local health agencies. While infectious disease preparedness remains a primary strength—with 59% of departments feeling prepared for small-scale outbreaks—there is a widening gap in readiness for non-traditional threats. Agency officials expressed significant anxiety regarding climate-related risks, with 70% citing storms and flooding as a major concern. Despite this, planning participation for extreme weather events has nearly tripled since 2022, rising from 13% to 32%.
Local Health Departments Struggle with Emerging Threats and Staff Turnover
While over half of U.S. local health departments feel fully equipped to handle infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics, their confidence falters when faced with modern hazards like cyberattacks, opioid crises, and extreme weather, according to a new report released by the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
Workforce instability is compounding these challenges. Half of all preparedness coordinators now have fewer than six years of experience, the highest turnover rate recorded since 2015. With only 30% of these roles fully dedicated to preparedness duties, departments are increasingly relying on cross-training non-preparedness staff to fill gaps. To compensate for limited internal resources, agencies are leaning heavily on external networks. More than 85% of departments now maintain strong partnerships with state agencies and local emergency management, while over 60% integrate volunteer organizations like the Medical Reserve Corps into their operational planning to maintain community resilience.
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