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A report released Tuesday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and Trust for America's Health (TFAH) suggests that states in the Midwest and South received less federal funding during fiscal year (FY) 2008 for public health programs than did states in the Northeast and West, the Associated Press reports. Based on an analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spending on public health programs, the Shortchanging America's Health: A State-By-State Look at How Federal Public Health Dollars are Spent report examines monies distributed to disease prevention and public health emergency preparedness efforts. According to the report, U.S. states in FY 2008 received an average of $17.60 per person from the CDC to spend on public health initiatives, with Midwestern states receiving an average of $17.69 per person and Southern states receiving $18.43 per person. Northeast states, meanwhile, received $22.49 per person and Western states received $23.94 per person. Among individual states, Alaska ranked first for CDC funding at $52.78 per person, while Indiana ranked last, receiving just $12.74 per person. Although most public health programs are supported through a combination of federal, state and local funding, the researchers note that the economic downturn could force states to withdraw funding to preserve budgets. According to Center on Budget and Policy Priorities statistics, at least 46 states are facing or are anticipating budget shortfalls in 2009 and 2010. In light of such deficits, the researchers suggest that funding for some health programs could be in jeopardy and anticipate cuts in chronic disease and obesity prevention programs, infection disease prevention, food and water safety, environmental health improvement, and bioterrorism and emergency preparedness. In addition, surveys conducted by state and local health departments suggest that more than 11,000 state and local public health jobs have already been eliminated, with an additional 10,000 at risk. However, the report authors note that the $787-billion economic stimulus package signed last month by President Barack Obama included an additional $1 billion for public health programs in 2010, which should provide support for many communities. Noting that "the financial crisis makes it more important than ever for the country to make prevention a top priority," Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., RWJF's president and chief executive officer, says that "even in these troubled times, prevention is an investment we can count on," adding that such efforts can prevent "millions of people from developing preventable diseases while saving billions in health care costs." (Kusmer, AP/Seattle Times, 3/11/09; Business Journal of Milwaukee, 3/10/09; TFAH release, 3/10/09; TFAH report, March 2009)