Across the United States, hospitals and health systems are under pressure to improve community health while facing mounting financial constraints. Yet some of the most powerful partners in this work — local health departments (LHDs) — are often underutilized. These organizations lead disease prevention, manage outbreaks, ensure water and food safety, and deliver health education, forming a vital but complex public health network.

LHDs face significant and persistent challenges. Public health funding is often unstable and frequently cut during economic downturns. This fragmentation directly affects collaboration: The full scope of local health departments’ prevention-focused work is not always understood by potential partners, such as hospitals and health systems.

Discover how stronger hospital-LHD partnerships can drive better community health outcomes. Download the full report now.