The 2024 Preparedness Profile Study reveals a dual reality for the nation's 3,300 local health agencies. While infectious disease preparedness remains a primary strength—with 59% of departments feeling prepared for small-scale outbreaks—there is a widening gap in readiness for non-traditional threats. Agency officials expressed significant anxiety regarding climate-related risks, with 70% citing storms and flooding as a major concern. Despite this, planning participation for extreme weather events has nearly tripled since 2022, rising from 13% to 32%.

Workforce instability is compounding these challenges. Half of all preparedness coordinators now have fewer than six years of experience, the highest turnover rate recorded since 2015. With only 30% of these roles fully dedicated to preparedness duties, departments are increasingly relying on cross-training non-preparedness staff to fill gaps. To compensate for limited internal resources, agencies are leaning heavily on external networks. More than 85% of departments now maintain strong partnerships with state agencies and local emergency management, while over 60% integrate volunteer organizations like the Medical Reserve Corps into their operational planning to maintain community resilience.