Counting Public Health Workers Kristine M. Gebbie, DrPH, RN April 4, 2006

Public health infrastructure: the foundation Prepared Workforce Data and Information Systems and Relationships PAHO April 4, 2006

Data and information Health status Threats to health Resources that support health PAHO April 4, 2006

Systems and relationships Legal structure Organizational structure Formal working agreements Interpersonal relationships PAHO April 4, 2006

Prepared workers Competent for expected roles and duties Oriented to the mission of the organization Motivated to perform at a high level PAHO April 4, 2006

Who are the workers in the US? 2000: 448,254 workers in salaried positions, primarily in state and local health departments and schools of public health 2004: 552,061 in governmental agencies Enumeration 2000, HRSA Full publication on line at Columbia University School of Nursing or available through HRSA. Bureau of the Census, 2005 PAHO April 4, 2006

National Summary Technical 14% Clerical/Support 13% Professional 44% Category Unreported 25% Administrative 4% PAHO April 4, 2006

National Summary of workers by location Local 34% Federal 19% Other 14% State 33% “Other” primarily includes schools of public health and the voluntary organizations. PAHO April 4, 2006

Changes in workforce size 1980-2000 + 6,000 1994-1999 + 5,400 2000-2003 + 8,700 2003-2004 - 3,000 PAHO April 4, 2006

We can’t identify Pre-employment training Job titles Day-to-day functional responsibilities What difference any of these make to programs PAHO April 4, 2006

We can’t plan effectively How old are the workers? What are their career plans? What is the next generation like? PAHO April 4, 2006

Who else does public health Community clinics Hospital infection control Hazardous material regulation Agriculture food protection Private industry Occupational health Food safety PAHO April 4, 2006

We should be looking ahead Middle school and high school career clubs Summer employment for students Public health as a science elective Clinical experiences for health professions students PAHO April 4, 2006

Columbia University School of Nursing 630 West 168th Street New York, New York 10032 www.nursing.hs.columbia.edu PAHO April 4, 2006