New York State Local Health Department Preparedness for and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: An In-Progress Review

Abstract

A mixed-methods approach was taken to describe lessons learned by local health department leaders during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York State and to document leaders' assessments of their departments' emergency preparedness capabilities and capacities. Leaders participating in a survey rated the effectiveness of their department's capabilities and capacities in administrative and public health preparedness, epidemiology, and communications on a scale from 1 to 5; those partaking in focus groups answered open-ended questions about the same 4 topics. Subjects rated intragovernmental activities most effective ( x = 4.41, SD = 0.83) and reported receiving assistance from other county agencies. They rated level of supplies least effective ( x = 3.03, SD = 1.01), describing low supply levels and inequitable distribution of testing materials and personal protective equipment among regions. Local health departments in New York require more state and federal aid to maintain the public health workforce in preparation for future emergencies.

By the Seat of Our Pants: the Experience of Small Businesses in the COVID-19 Pandemic, Washington State, March–October 2020

“…Our study is unique because of its focus on operations during the pandemic and on employee health and safety. Our findings also align with a New York survey in which local health department directors rated their organizations as least effective in their coordination with local businesses in the domains of public health preparedness systems and communications ( 20 ). Our findings suggest several ways that local health departments could connect with small employers and help them during future pandemics or other health crises.…”

Telehealth for Contraceptive Care During the Initial Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic at Local Health Departments in 2 US States: A Mixed-Methods Approach

“…This is consistent with other studies where local HD leaders noted staffing limitations at the beginning of COVID-19 and indicated that funding limitations contributed to difficulties in responding to mandates and emergencies. 31 Since HDs are charged with investigating and addressing public health problems affecting the population, 32 staffing capacity is essential for emergency response efforts including case investigation and contact tracing. 33 Our findings suggest that competing interests between contraceptive service provision and emergency response resulted in staff who would have normally provided contraceptive services being reassigned to support pandemic response efforts.…”

Pandemic Communication: Challenges and Opportunities for Local Health Departments

“…LHDs in New York reported "social media was particularly useful and, in some counties, a previously untapped resource when it came to dissemination of information" during COVID-19. 13 Planning ahead allows LHDs to strategize how social media fits into the larger messaging approach and affords opportunities to address resources and concerns about using social media. With COVID-19, more efforts have been made to produce guidance on how to effectively use social media.…”

“…At times, this can be a challenge, especially when state and federal guidance is not being provided. 13 People seek information from multiple sources to confirm information provided in warning messages. 29 They also receive cues from people they trust, informing how they perceive risk and, in turn, how they respond to those risks.…”