WASHINGTON -- A study released Tuesday found that Oklahoma
received $19.10 per person in federal funds to help prevent diseases
and injuries in 2008 and ranked the state 24th out of 50.
Based on $69 million the state received from the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, that figure placed Oklahoma above
average for the southern region, where states received $18.43 per
person.
Oklahoma also scored higher than all but two of its neighbors,
with Kansas and Missouri each receiving $15.14 per person; Texas,
$17.16; and Colorado, $17.92.
Arkansas came in slightly higher at $19.19, but New Mexico
received $30.94 per person, which tracked with the higher rankings
of others in the western region.
When the study looked at specific areas, however, Oklahoma's
scored in the bottom 10 in adult obesity, adult smokers and
diabetes.
Jeff Levi, executive director of Trust for America's Health,
which released the study with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,
said one reason for the wide range in levels is the lack of funding
from the CDC.
Levi said it sometimes comes down to a "luck of the draw" on
whether a state will receive funding for a disease prevention
program.
For example, he said, only 23 states received funding for an anti-
obesity program.
Anti-smoking programs are so chronically underfunded that they
are overwhelmed by potential participants, Levi said.
He also expressed concern about the impact of the current
economic crisis on preventive health care.
"Even in better economic times, the country's investment in
keeping the public healthy and safe is a tiny fraction of what we
spend on treating people after they've become sick," he said.
"Our priorities are upside down."
Levi said the $1 billion included in the recently passed stimulus
package will help keep local and state governments from laying off
more public health workers.
That, however, is one-time funding, he said.
According to the study, Alaska received the top ranking, with
$52.78 per person in CDC funds.
Indiana came in last with $12.74.
Jim Myers (202) 484-1424
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