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…
The size of the US public health workforce has markedly declined in recent years, 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…
The public health workforce is in a critical state, with the current supply being unsustainable at best and dire at worst. Based on data from 2017 and 2019, health departments needed to hire 80,000 full-time employees to provide basic public health foundational services even before the onset of COVID-19. The situation has likely worsened due…
COVID-19 placed unprecedented strain on the health workforce. Early in the pandemic, providers faced a novel, highly infectious pathogen, and while some areas experienced increased health care demands, others saw limits in nonessential services and decreased patient visits, leading to financial pressures and layoffs. This Health Affairs Scholar article explores the use of the publicly…
Amid a growing behavioral health crisis in the US, less than half of individuals who need services for mental health or substance use concerns receive care. Multiple factors impact access to behavioral health services, including payment, stigma, and the availability of a positioned behavioral health workforce in areas with the greatest need. Recent work demonstrates…
By employing evidence-based methods, harm reduction seeks to lessen the negative health and social consequences associated with substance use. As harm reduction services continue to expand without the need for professional certification, there remains considerable variation in how the workforce is perceived and trained in harm reduction principles and practices. This article explores the harm…
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic worsened mental health conditions due to sudden social distancing restrictions, prolonged isolation, and increased disruptions in mental health and substance use treatment and support services. Peer support specialists play a crucial role in helping individuals with mental health and substance use challenges explore various pathways to recovery. These services…
