While acknowledging that public health workforce shortages are likely to persist, the paper identified strategies that policymakers could adopt to alleviate shortages, including taking proactive steps to increase the diversity of the workforce, introducing loan repayment programs for public health graduates, reforms to the government hiring process, and increased public health worker protections.
Center for Public Health Systems
New study finds dramatic growth in undergraduate public health degree conferrals over the past two decades
Recipients of undergraduate degrees in public health are highly diverse, with more than 80 percent being women and 55 percent from communities of color. However, after graduation, only about 10 percent of degree recipients are currently choosing public sector employment opportunities.
Center for Public Health Systems at U of M School of Public Health Recognized with 2022 LPHA Partnership Award
In announcing the award, LPHA Chair Sarah Grasshuesch lauded CPHS’s work as “going above and beyond to elevate the workforce-related challenges faced by local public health.”
Research shows public health agencies are critically understaffed
The researchers provide peer-reviewed evidence that to meet a minimum level of public health needs, local and state health departments across the country need to hire 80% more FTEs over pre-pandemic levels.
U of M School of Public Health receives $4.7 million to lead workforce consortium
Supported with a first-of-its-kind joint $4.7 million cooperative agreement from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six U.S. universities have now come together to conduct robust workforce research, evaluation, and analysis.
New Center Created to Help Strengthen Health Departments Across U.S.
SPH launched the Center for Public Health Systems (CPHS) to conduct field-defining public health systems research and to provide technical assistance and other services to support public health departments.
Minnesota Public Health Corps coming to Minnesota to bridge gaps exacerbated by COVID-19
SPH is a partner in the new program aiming to increase immediate capacity within the public health field and create a diverse pipeline of future public health employees.
University leading consortium to train minorities in using data to improve public health
The University’s Schools of Public Health and Nursing are leading the TRIUMPH consortium to train more than 600 students and public health professionals in informatics at universities that have historically served Black, Latinx, and Native American people.
New system connects patients with COVID-19 outpatient treatments
Researcher JP Leider led the development of a system designed to quickly and fairly connect patients and providers with facilities offering monoclonal antibodies and other treatments. (JP Leider)
Official estimates of public health spending are significantly overinflated
A study by researcher JP Leider reveals that federal estimates overestimate actual public health spending by as much as two-thirds.
New Survey Reveals Key Details on Outlook of National Public Health Workforce
The PH WINS survey co-developed by researcher JP Leider showed more than 40 percent of governmental public health workers are planning on retiring by 2023 or considering leaving their positions within the next year.