Yeager VA, Hurst D, Menachemi N. State barriers to appropriating public health emergency response funds during the 2009 H1N1 response.
Am J Public Health 2015;
105 Suppl 2:S274-9. [PMID:
25689213 PMCID:
PMC4355722 DOI:
10.2105/ajph.2014.302378]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
We examined state-specific administrative barriers to allocating 2009 H1N1 influenza public health emergency response (PHER) funds.
METHODS
We conducted a qualitative review of PHER grants management reports to identify and code barriers reported by states in allocating funds. Using linear regression, we examined the relationship between the percentage of funds allocated and each individual barrier and, separately, the cumulative effect of multiple barriers.
RESULTS
States reported 6 barrier types, including regulatory issues (n = 14, or 28%), contracting issues (n = 14, or 28%), purchasing issues (n = 6, or 12%), legislative issues (n = 5, or 10%), staffing issues (n = 5, or 10%), and issues transferring funds between state and local health departments (n = 4, or 8%). In multivariate models, having experienced a purchasing barrier was associated with a significant decrease in PHER allocation (B = -26.4; P = .018). Separately, the cumulative effect of having 3 barriers was associated with a decrease in PHER allocation (B = -16.0; P = .079).
CONCLUSIONS
Purchasing barriers were associated with delayed use of PHER funds. Moreover, the cumulative effect of any 3 barriers hampered the allocation of funds. Understanding barriers to using funds can inform future funding guidance for improved efficiency of response efforts.
Collapse