The COVID-19 Pandemic's Impact on Health Departments

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on the public health systems across America. As a result, state and local health departments are facing amplified demands on resources and organizational capacity. 

In August 2020, NASTAD conducted a request for information from HIV prevention programs (37 health departments responded), hepatitis programs (35 health departments responded), and Ryan White ADAP/Part B Programs (45 health departments responded) to detail the impact of COVID-19 on HIV and hepatitis programs. 

This PDF contains NASTAD’s findings of our request for information detailing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV and hepatitis programs. In order to continue to provide critical public health services, HIV and hepatitis programs have acted quickly to develop innovative service delivery approaches in response to the emerging needs of people living with and at risk for HIV and hepatitis. In addition, HIV and hepatitis programs anticipate increased long-term financial and programmatic impacts due to a potential lasting economic downturn.