Janelle Nichols, MPH, Project Associate, Academic/Practice Linkages, Public Health Foundation
The public health workforce plays a vital role in ensuring the health of the population, but how do we ensure that we have a strong public health workforce? Workforce development efforts nationwide help to build competencies and skills within the workforce, but rather than being seen as an integral component of all public health efforts, workforce development is often perceived as a luxury. How do we make the case for resources necessary to sustain a high-performing workforce? During a special session at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting this fall, the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice (Council on Linkages) brought together influential public health leaders to tackle these critical questions.
During the November 6th APHA Annual Meeting session, Advocating for the Public Health Workforce, attendees were guided through a depiction of the current public health environment and the challenges it presents, and how national organizations are addressing these challenges by working to demonstrate the value of the public health workforce, advocate for the public health workforce, and provide funding to support public health workforce development.
Moderated by Council on Linkages Chair C. William Keck, MD, MPH, the stage for the discussion was set by John Auerbach, MBA, President and CEO, Trust for America’s Health, who outlined the characteristics of the current governmental public health environment, including a shrinking and aging workforce, changing composition of the workforce and the work, funding uncertainty, and a disconnect between causes of death and funding allocations. Phyllis Meadows, PhD, Senior Fellow – Health, The Kresge Foundation, shared the story of how The Kresge Foundation is developing public health leaders and how many of these leaders have taken on roles as their communities’ Chief Health Strategists. Ed Hunter, MA, President and CEO, de Beaumont Foundation, shared insights from the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS), and activities underway to address gaps identified. Judy Monroe, MD, President and CEO, CDC Foundation, highlighted the importance of cultivating support for the public health workforce, beginning at the most personal level, as well as the importance of inviting others who affect the health of a community indirectly, such as legislators, to the table. Dr. Monroe noted that no one should be surprised that we are seeing a dramatic increase in sexually transmitted diseases as public health agencies have lost over 50,000 staff in recent years.
Made evident during the session was that in these uncertain and ever-changing times, the public health community must come together to clearly demonstrate the importance of and support the public health workforce in achieving population health objectives. Public health practice organizations, academic institutions, philanthropic organizations, community-based organizations, and others all have roles and responsibilities in ensuring a functioning public health system. Unsure of where to start? Consider becoming involved in activities of the Council on Linkages, which brings 22 national organizations together to build consensus and support the public health workforce by developing tools and resources such as the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals, which reflect foundational skills desirable for professionals engaging in the practice, education, and research of public health.
Share your thoughts about how to demonstrate the value of the public health workforce, advocate for the public health workforce, and provide funding for the public health workforce, or ways you or your organization has done so in the Comments section below or by email to Janelle Nichols at jnichols@phf.org.