In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of advancing health equity. Public health nurses—who operate at the intersection of nursing and public health—are uniquely positioned to contribute to this effort. Their roles place them at the forefront of addressing the systemic and social factors that influence health outcomes. Despite the increased…
As many as 1 in 5 women will experience a behavioral health condition during their perinatal period, yet the availability of services specifically designed and delivered for individuals who experience perinatal mental health and substance use conditions remains unclear. This article uses the National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (NSUMHSS) to explore the…
Burnout among community health center providers has worsened post-COVID-19, exacerbated by understaffing and heightened recruitment challenges due to competition from higher-paying hospitals and private practices. This article examines how 4 community health centers, recognized by their peers as leaders in addressing burnout and moral injury, are working to tackle these challenges.
Throughout the COVID-19 response and into the current recovery period, demand for new public health staff has been relatively high. Increased funding and need has created an opportunity to expand the public health workforce to levels not seen over the past 15 years. More students are receiving public health degrees than ever before. Given that…
Extensive research has established a strong link between overall nurse staffing levels and certain patient safety outcomes. In contrast, the impact of agency nurse staffing on patient outcomes has been studied less frequently, with inconsistent results. US studies examining agency hours often rely on cross-sectional designs, which, along with similarly limited research on overtime hours,…
The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is the federal standard for categorizing occupation data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) gathers data using SOC codes to help with enumeration, wage data, occupational exposures data, and other workforce analyses. However, the data currently presented through programs such as the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)…
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…
