As public health marketers our main goal is to increase community buy in for various health initiatives. Knowing this, keeping costs low for patients is an easy way to make a program more appealing to individuals. Often in America people feel that healthcare is too expensive, by keeping costs down your organization will seem more accessible and appealing.
Like with any organization there are costs associated with running community health programs. Unfortunately, public health organizations have repeatedly had their budgets slashed leaving them fighting for grants and transferring the remaining cost onto the consumer. Although most public health programs aim to be free, fees can be necessary to keep the lights on.
Maintaining a public health agency comes with its costs. Unfortunately, funding pathways are becoming increasingly constrained leaving organizations to shift the cost to consumers. In order to do the most good, it is important to keep costs to a minimum and care accessible.