Lab Matters Summer 2017 | Page 14

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Undoubtedly , the biggest common threat to laboratories ’ bottom lines is the preliminary federal budget for fiscal year 2018 , which calls for slashing $ 54 billion from nondefense discretionary spending .

Proposed public health-related cuts include :

• CDC : $ 1.2 billion reduction , with substantial cuts to programs addressing HIV / AIDS , TB , emergency preparedness , global health , birth defects , and emerging zoonotic and infectious diseases .

• Environmental Protection Agency : Elimination of the Water Security Program and a $ 19 million cut to Preparedness , Response and Recovery .

Hawaii lab director Chris Whelen is interviewed by a local network . Photo courtesy of Hawaii Department of Health State Laboratories

• Food and Drug Administration : $ 71 million reduction , including $ 49 million in external funds for implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act .

• Health Resources and Services Administration : $ 35 million reduction , including $ 32 million for newborn screening .

• State Department : $ 2 billion cut to global health programs , but a redirection of $ 75 million in Ebola funding for global health activities .

On top of these possible losses , the proposed repeal of the Affordable Care Act would scrap the Prevention and Public Health Fund , which contributes significantly to CDC ’ s budget and provides $ 40 million for Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grants .

APHL ’ s Senior Director of Public Policy Peter Kyriacopoulos said the massive downsizing represented by the president ’ s budget — which would reduce CDC funding by 28.3 % in all — is , in fact , so draconian that “ nobody on Capitol Hill appears to be taking this very seriously .”

Yet , he is quick to point out that the lack of seriousness is small comfort : “ My biggest concern is that the huge budget cuts could be used to advance a smaller cut in funding and do so in a way that tries to convince people that it could have been worse .” He said , “ The reality is that public health has never been well funded , and we would have as much difficulty absorbing a 5 % cut as a 17 % cut .”

Regardless of immediate outcomes , however , the current political climate does not auger well for public health . “ This is not the end of these attempts to cut spending ,” said Kyriacopoulos . “ We are going to need to pursue this as a marathon , and not a sprint .” In other words , it is time for stakeholders to speak up for public health laboratories .

“ Human-to-human relationships ” as important as technical knowledge

Efforts to raise laboratory visibility fall into two categories . So-called 360 degree communications involves , according to one marketing researcher , “ bringing a brand to life , using all possible contact points and ... collaborative partnerships .” For the public health laboratory ( PHL ), that means building a base of understanding and support for the laboratory ’ s highstakes mission and scientific work . By definition , this is a perpetual process that encompasses everything from laboratory open houses to lunch outings with the lab ’ s designated public information officer .

Proactive 360 degree communications is complemented by a second type of outreach : targeted advocacy to attain specific goals , such as supplemental funding for equipment purchases . This is where a pre-existing groundswell of goodwill toward the laboratory pays off .

[ As discussed in the sidebar , storytelling is a highly effective communications technique that can be incorporated into all outreach efforts .]

Owing to its university affiliation , in-house communications staff and commitment to education and training , Iowa ’ s SHL has one of the best PHL outreach programs in the country . Its 360 degree communications include a robust internet presence , representation on the governor ’ s STEM advisory council and a monthly , electronic newsletter , Lab Link , that reaches over 800 readers , including regional and national partners .

Last year , the SHL was covered in the local media at least 40 times , including a KCCI Channel 8 story about swimming water quality and a Des Moines Register report on herbicide-laced honey .

Pat Blake , MA , who leads the SHL communications department , said the laboratory ’ s most visible product is its annual report , which includes testing statistics . In addition , those statistics are “ plugged into ” an Iowa map , showing how many tests have been performed for customers in each of the state ’ s 99 counties .

“ As a state agency , we serve every county in Iowa , and we can demonstrate that ,” said Blake .

The same information is repackaged into one-page “ impact handouts ,” focusing on individual testing programs or individual counties .

Thanks to the laboratory ’ s website analytics , staff know that the most highly viewed items posted on the website are test menus and items pertaining to newborn screening ,