This document compares local health department survey results from 2005 and 2008 to identify emerging trends in the public health sector. Survey results include information related to expenditures, revenue, workforce, staffing and other services that fall under the purview of most local health departments. Numbers from the 2008 profile may be abnormal as it took place at the beginning of a devastating economic recession cycle, so members looking for trends should take that into account when comparing the results.