Political and economic structures influence how cities respond to crisis.

Looking back to 1955, this map shows the multitude of personnel dedicated to public health in Wayne County be they part-time as a team of one, part-time with a group of staff, or full-time (only Detroit). In 1955, part-time health officers in smaller cities were supported by the Wayne County Health Department.

Today, only the full-time health officer departments have survived with a Wayne County Health (Human Services and Department and the Detroit Health Department.