Capacity Quote by Leana S. Wen
“As a former local health official, I can tell you that local health departments are chronically understaffed and do not have the capacity to analyze scientific reports and synthesize them into policies and regulations.”
About This Quote
Source Testimony: US Senate Health Committee, 2021
Local health departments lack staff and capacity to translate scientific data into policy.
In simple terms: Understaffed local health agencies can’t analyze science for policy.
Advocate for more health staffing.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- public health planning
- budget proposals
- policy drafting
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What resources could improve capacity?
- How can data be better synthesized locally?
Funding constraints limit effectiveness.