JoAnn Andrews

Local public health leaders are carrying more than ever — more responsibility, more expectation, more pressure, and more demand placed on fewer shoulders. As counties navigate shifting regulations, budget instability, staffing shortages, and rising community needs, the next year is already taking shape. And 2026 will not wait for anyone. This is the moment to steady the ground beneath your feet. 1. Clarify the Indicators That Matter Most Funding, accountability, and program support are...

Counties nationwide are facing a hidden cost crisis driven by preventable disease, housing instability, rising audit scrutiny, and fiscal uncertainty. This article breaks down why delays in CHNAs, CHIPs, or Cost to the Community™ analyses are now financially risky—and how county health leaders can protect funding with fast, audit-ready reporting.

The shutdown may be over, but counties now face a fiscal reckoning. Boards want proof of impact, fast. Ascendant Healthcare Partners™ delivers a Cost to the Community™ report by Thanksgiving for counties committing by Nov 20, and a PHAB-compliant CHNA Express™ by Jan 30. This is the moment for counties to turn data into fiscal clarity before the next crisis hits.