Up for the task? Local health authorities and communal health in Germany.

Bauschke, Rafael; Hennig, Lisa

Aim: Public health depends on effective structures at all administrative levels. Focusing on the case of Germany, this study assesses the capabilities of local health authorities and how these organisations fulfil their role within the communal health structures. Subject and methods: German local health authorities; Explorative online survey. Results: Local health authorities face some organisational deficiencies (mostly in expertise) in living up to their role within communal health structures. Despite these challenges, they do engage in exchange with municipalities and get involved in programmes and public health surveillance. Conclusion: To strengthen public health and increase the effectiveness of health administrative structures, it would be wise to provide the necessary resources at the local level and to reassess the scope and mandate of local health authorities.

GERMANY; COMMUNITY health services; PUBLIC health surveillance; MEDICAL care use; QUALITATIVE research; PUBLIC health administration; HEALTH planning; RESEARCH; HEALTH promotion; LOCAL government

Journal of Public Health: From Theory to Practice (2198-1833), 2024, Vol 32, Issue 11, p2139

2198-1833

Academic Journal

10.1007/s10389-023-01973-7