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

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 over bar = 4.41, SD = 0.83) and reported receiving assistance from other county agencies. They rated level of supplies least effective (x over bar = 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.

Automated summary

A mixed-methods approach was used to study the lessons learned by local health department leaders in New York during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey and focus group discussions revealed that intragovernmental activities were rated most effective, while the level of supplies was considered least effective, indicating a need for improvement in this area.