Local health departments play a critical role in promoting the overall health and well-being of communities across the country, and influxes of response-related funding and attention make it challenging to build and sustain a consistent and well-trained public health workforce. Local public health is increasingly being asked to do more for growing populations with diverse…
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…
Career ladders offer a structured pathway for employees to advance in their careers by meeting specific education, certification, and performance requirements. These programs help entry-level workers gain the skills needed to progress into intermediary and leadership roles within their organizations. By providing a clear progression path, career ladders enhance staff recruitment, development, and retention while…
