Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 5.14.47 PM.pngA few months ago, Food Safety News, reported that budget reductions have forced local health departments to cut programs and staff, resulting in the loss of 6,000 public health jobs 2010 alone, according to survey and preliminary report released by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The report found that nearly 19 percent of the local health department workforce nationwide has been eliminated since 2008, presenting “a staggering challenge” at a time when the country’s economic woes have increased demand for services, the association said. With 29,000 fewer workers, local health departments are doing fewer restaurant inspections, reacting slower to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, and are not able to provide as many direct services like immunizations.

Robert Roos, News Editor for CIDRAP reported on the final report today “NACCHO: Local health departments lost 6,000 jobs in 2010.”

Final Report.