Action Area:
Investing in Prevention

Key HSIN Measure:
Public Health System Performance (PHIP Standards)

Washington's local and state public health agencies judge the adequacy of our public health infrastructure using a set of broadly framed standards known as the Public Health Improvement Partnership or PHIP Standards.¹ A 2005 assessment against these standards revealed a wide range of public health system performance across the state. Overall, only about 60% of our public health system elements were found to be performing at levels identified by the standards.

In 2005, the United Health Foundation's State Health Rankings rated Washington 44th among the 50 states in per capita public health spending at $81.² This measures as well as immunization rates (42nd) and receipt of prenatal care (37th) comprised the three lowest rankings our state received, greatly reducing Washington's overall rank.

¹ http://www.doh.wa.gov/standards/default.htm
²National Association of State Budget Officers published in the 2005 United Health Foundation State Health Rankings

2006 Washington State Legislative Bill Watch: