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Exploring the geospatial variations in the public health workforce: implications for diversifying the supply of potential workers in governmental settings

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The US public health workforce has markedly declined, falling from 500 000 individuals in 1980 to 239 000 by 2022, a trend exacerbated by economic instability and an aging demographic. There was a temporary surge in staffing through emergency hires during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the permanence of these positions remains uncertain. Concurrently, public health degree conferrals have sharply increased, creating a mismatch between the growing number of graduates and the actual needs of health departments. This study analyzes the distribution of the potential public health labor supply within a 50- and 150-mile radius of health departments, revealing a significant regional imbalance. Most regions experience substantial differences in the concentration of public health graduates when accounting for population size, reflecting geographic disparities in workforce distribution. These findings underscore the necessity for structured partnerships between health departments and educational institutions and advocacy for adaptive policy changes to align educational outputs with labor market demands, essential for a resilient public health workforce.

Source: Health Affairs Scholar

DOI: 10.1093/haschl/qxae116

Authors: Sezen O Onal, Skky Martin, Nicole M Weiss, Jonathon P Leider

Institutions: University of Minnesota, University of Chicago, National Opinion Research Center

Language: English

Topic: Public Health Policies and Education

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,308