Public-private Partnerships, Programs Target Infectious Diseases in RI

摘要

Though morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases continues to decline in the United States, the recent epidemic of Ebola in West Africa highlights the ongoing importance of maintaining strong public health programs to address infec- tious diseases in the United States. Though epidemics may be infrequent, they consume considerable amounts of public resources and maintaining a strong public health approach to respond to these outbreaks is critical. In times of declin- ing funding for public health programs, alternative strategies are needed to maintain the readiness of our health systems to respond to these crises. Dedicated public health treatment programs are increasingly transitioning into public-private partnership models in which community providers become the key care providers guided by public health programs. Targeted financial support addresses those aspects of control efforts not fundable through the existing public and private insurance systems. Both the increasing complexity of the system of care and the increasing emphasis on accountabil- ity in medical under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, create a clear need to examine and monitor outcomes across the system of care. This issue highlights a number of programs in Rhode Island that address important issues in infectious diseases with implications for public health, including this public-private partnership model.