Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Flexible Funding Mechanism Is Associated With Improved Population Outcomes

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between Preventive Health and Health Services (PHHS) Block Grant (BG) funding and population health outcomes. DESIGN: A state-level panel data set (2000-2019) for 50 US states was compiled from USA Spending, PHHS BG administrative system, US Census Bureau, and America's Health Rankings. The long-term population health outcome was years of life lost (YLL), measured as deaths before age 75 years per 100 000 population. We used a generalized method of moments (GMM), along with a Koyck distributed lag model and a 2-way fixed-effects approach, to assess the impact of PHHS BG funding on YLL. We also provided several sensitivity analyses. SETTING: This study examines the effects of PHHS Block Grant flexible funding on the population health outcomes during the period of 2000-2019. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty US States were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: YLL before age 75, per 100 000 population. RESULTS: During 2000-2019, a $1 per capita increase in PHHS BG funding was associated with a 1.5%-11% reduction in YLL (110-832 fewer years lost per 100 000 population). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing use of PHHS BG funds is associated with substantial years of life savings.