A shortage of behavioral health clinicians is limiting access to mental health care across the United States, particularly in areas designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (mHPSAs). Retaining clinicians in these high-need areas is essential to improving access. This article examines behavioral health clinicians’ assessments of various job and workplace factors associated with their…
In 2023, nearly 25% of the US population aged 12 or older used illicit drugs, and over 17% met the criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD), with synthetic opioids and excessive alcohol use driving a sharp rise in drug-related deaths. Despite the growing need for SUD treatment, significant access gaps remain—especially for individuals from…
To address the behavioral health workforce crisis in the United States, it is essential to support students who are interested in pursuing careers in behavioral health. Exploring the various educational pathways into these professions is a critical step, as it can reveal opportunities to expand the supply of qualified, culturally, and linguistically representative providers. This…
Staffing and ownership transparency have recently become key national policy priorities for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which are now facing heightened regulatory scrutiny. New federal regulations require greater transparency in reporting ownership changes and introduce controversial minimum staffing requirements for nursing positions. This article examines a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) analysis of whether SNF changes in…
With the number of public health nurses (PHN) declining nationwide, it’s crucial to understand where PHNs work, what they do, and how to address workforce development needs. However, estimates of the size of the PHN workforce vary depending on data source, and current workforce survey methods often categorize PHNs based on work setting, which does…
Consistent and reliable data collection plays is necessary for effective health workforce planning. In the past decade, more states and organizations have prioritized collecting health workforce data. The Health Workforce Technical Assistance Center (HWTAC) tracks states data collection efforts for supply, demand, and education pipeline data through an ongoing survey. This brief presents current health…
As the largest occupational group in the United States, alongside home health aides, personal care aides (PCAs) play a critical role in supporting millions of Americans. However, despite their significant presence in the workforce, PCAs continue to face persistent job quality challenges, with inadequate training being a key concern. Unlike other direct care workers, PCAs…
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are increasingly recognized as essential healthcare providers in the United States. Valued for their deep understanding of the communities they serve, CHWs play a crucial role in building high-impact partnerships with low-income, underserved, and racial and ethnic minority populations. Despite the recognized value of CHWs in improving health outcomes, the integration…
The United States is grappling with a behavioral health crisis worsened by workforce shortages, which restrict access to treatment. States are responding by creating new roles and expanding existing ones within the behavioral health workforce. However, misalignment in training, regulation, and payment policies undermines the effective deployment of these roles to address needs. This article…
The growing number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders presents significant challenges for health systems and policies. Primary care clinicians provide ongoing medical care for 80% of affected individuals, yet they face persistent barriers to providing high-quality dementia care. This article explores responses from interviews conducted with family physicians on what core…
