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Decentralization in the New York City Department of Health: reorganization of a public health agency.

A C Mustalish, G Eidsvold and L F Novick

Since the World War I era there has existed within the New York City Department of Health a basic internal struggle between staff directing the bureaus at the central office and the district health officers operating field health centers throughout the city. Recently, in a five-year period, there was a dramatic reorganization of the Department which markedly affected its orientation and programs. In 1972 a new Commissioner initiated a reorganization of the Department which succeeded in decentralizing field operations in contrast to earlier efforts which had failed to reach this objective. The roles of bureaus and districts were redefined, with the latter receiving budgetary authority, authority to supervise personnel, assignment of health managers, and the implementation of a district cost accounting system. While operational decentralization has occurred, policy setting and resource allocation in response to local needs remain central functions.