Report Offers Tips for Building a Stronger Public Health Workforce

Rethinking the boundaries of the public health profession—specifically, what it means to be a public health partner, a public health department, and a public health worker—is key to building a more resilient public health workforce in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from the Deloitte Center for Government Insights.

“Budgets are expected to remain an ongoing challenge, and agencies undoubtedly will face fresh problems in the coming years,” the report states. “But while much of the public health workforce remains committed to its cause—the question is how to maintain and expand that commitment.”

The report offers guidance gleaned from interviews with a dozen public health experts. To help bolster the public health workforce, it recommends establishing durable, reciprocal relationships with local communities and businesses. Additionally, agencies can use contractors, internships, and rotations to access needed skills.

The report also advises public health departments to prioritize a flexible, skills-based approach when it comes to worker roles. During the pandemic, adaptability enabled leaders at one county health department to redesign roles for employees to fill new needs.

“For instance, recognizing that environmental health staff members weren’t visiting restaurants due to the shutdown, someone from that team took over managing and sharing information on social media,” the center explained. “Someone else tackled phone calls and figured out how to structure and analyze incoming complaints.”

Regarding the workers they hire, the report advised agencies to consider the value of passionate, committed workers, regardless of whether they have public health degrees. Keeping up with, and adapting to, the changing values younger generation of workers is also important. “Many of today’s workers want flexibility and a better work/life balance,” the report states. “Where applicable, a degree of flexibility in work hours and locations can make public health jobs more attractive.”

Reference

Garrett M, Egizi AM, Datar A, Sawyer C, Grubbs J. What the pandemic can teach us about building a resilient public health workforce. Deloitte Center for Government Insights. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/public-sector/what-the-pandemic-can-teach-us-about-building-resilient-public-health-workforce.html