During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemental health—including video and phone visits—became essential for delivering mental healthcare as in-person visits declined and demand increased. Regulatory and payment changes at both federal and state levels in the US enabled its rapid expansion, with usage rising from under 1% pre-pandemic to 39% of behavioral health visits between March and…
Each year, over 70,000 people with serious illnesses receive care in long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs). Many are older, medically underserved, and have multiple health issues. Most aren’t on ventilators but need intensive treatments like wound care, IV therapy, or dialysis, and the average survival rate is just 8 months. Although palliative care could greatly…
The healthcare sector in the US, traditionally a source of stable employment, experienced significant workforce disruptions during the pandemic, with job losses and elevated exit rates, especially among women and Black and Hispanic workers. While concerns about workforce diversity persist, little is known about who is entering the field post-pandemic, despite renewed and growing demand…
Established by Congress in 1968, the Community Health Representative (CHR) Program provides outreach to address the specific healthcare needs of Tribal communities, predating the recognition of non-tribal Community Health Workers (CHWs). Aligned with the Indian Health Services (IHS) mandate to serve American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations, CHRs play a vital role in elder…
In the United States, use of oral health care services during pregnancy remains low, with fewer than 40% of pregnant women seeking preventive oral health care. Low use of oral health care services is concerning, as a lack of regular preventive oral health care and delayed treatment increase the risk of developing dental disease and…
Local health departments (LHDs) play a critical role in advancing health equity by addressing health threats, collaborating with community partners, and embedding equity considerations into decision-making. However, research highlights gaps in workforce competencies, particularly in the confidence and skills needed to address social determinants of equity, structural racism, and environmental justice. This article examines the…
As the United States becomes increasingly racially and ethnically diverse and strives to address longstanding health inequities, it is important to consider the racial and ethnic makeup of public servants and the communities they serve, particularly in governmental public health agencies. This article describes the racial and ethnic representativeness of the local health department workforce…
Community health workers are an important workforce for health care systems to achieve health equity and reduce health disparities in vulnerable communities. However, because CHWs are a non-licensed workforce who work across system settings with various job titles, it is difficult to estimate and characterize this workforce. This article discusses the estimated size and state…
The medical laboratory workforce plays a critical role in the US health care system, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic by a heightened need for workers to meet drastic increases in demand for COVID-19 testing. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated existing medical laboratory workforce challenges. To address future demand, it is crucial to examine the…
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) play a dual role, offering post-acute care services to short-stay patients and long-term care for permanent residents. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing in SNFs has garnered significant national attention, with efforts underway to enhance the quality of patient care. While research indicates that staffing levels for non-nursing roles…
