Health Policy Connection

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Public Health Current Topics

Investments in Prevention Save Lives and Money
Research shows that strategic investments in proven, community-based prevention programs can reduce the burden of disease and result in significant U.S. health care cost savings and overall economic cost savings.

  • An RWJF brief summarizes key recent research findings on the return on investment in public health and prevention.
  • A report from the Urban Institute explores how investments in prevention could curb the alarming growth of U.S. health care costs.
  • A set of six case studies from Minnesota, Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, California and Mississippi shows how improving the health of a community spurs economic development.
States Slash Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Budgets
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. States collect billions of dollars in tobacco revenue from the 1998 tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes—with less than two cents of every dollar going to fight tobacco use.
  • A new report, funded by RWJF, and Q&A on NewPublicHealth.org examine states' allocation of tobacco settlement dollars.
  • An RWJF two-page brief explores prevention strategies to stop young people from smoking, help smokers quit and protect against secondhand smoke.
  • Fast Fact: Counting both state funds and federal grants, only Alaska and North Dakota currently fund tobacco prevention programs at CDC-recommended levels. Read more Fast Facts.
Prevention Leads To Better Health and Lower Costs
Research shows that funding prevention can reduce the burden of preventable illnesses while also lowering health care costs.
  • RWJF two-page brief: How does an investment in prevention improve the public's health?
  • Health Affairs study: More public health spending leads to declines in preventable illnesses.
  • Health Affairs study: Preventive care aimed at diabetes and cardiovascular disease could save Medicare $7 billion.
  • State-by-state listings of programs funded by the federal Prevention Fund and what each state spends on public health, from the Trust for America's Health.

Public Health and Prevention Fast Fact

Federal grants have helped to cushion the impact of state funding cuts, but some of that funding is temporary and will run out this year. In fiscal year 2012, the federal government is providing $91.2 million in state and community grants to reduce tobacco use. States have also received $196.4 million in stimulus funds for tobacco prevention, some of which will be spent this year.
Source:  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

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