Professor Mac McCullough, an expert in the School of Public and Population Health at [insert university], recently published a groundbreaking study titled “Not Only How Much But How: The Importance of Diversifying Funding Streams in a Reimagined Public Health System” in the June issue of Health Affairs. This study marks one of the first times that revenue diversification in public health has been explored from a technical perspective on a national scale.
Collaborating with co-authors from the University of Minnesota Center for Public Health Systems and the National Association of County and City Health Officials, McCullough analyzed data collected before the COVID-19 pandemic to establish a yearly diversification index for local health departments. The research team found that health departments serving larger populations tend to have more evenly distributed funding sources, indicating higher levels of revenue diversification. This study highlights the importance of examining revenue portfolios within the public health system, as organizations with more diverse funding sources may be better equipped to withstand financial strain.
McCullough presented his findings at the recent Reimagining Public Health virtual event, where he participated in discussions surrounding central themes from the June issue, including “What might it look like to reimagine public health care and the systems that support the health of the community?” Through his research, McCullough emphasizes how investments in public health and social services can positively impact population health. He also teaches courses on finance, policy, and management in healthcare and public health, contributing significantly to ongoing conversations about improving public health systems.
