February 2003
Based on a November 2002 Issue Dialogue, this Issue Brief examines the nation’s public health infrastructure and explores opportunities for grantmakers to strengthen and sustain this fragile and troubled system. The report provides and overview of the nation’s public health system and its infrastructure weaknesses. It also discusses the challenges faced by state and local public health agencies as they struggle to maintain and improve the health of the public while simultaneously preparing for the possibility of bioterrorism. Finally, the report looks at foundation strategies to help buttress the public health system’s infrastructure.