COVID-19 Study Reveals Challenges in Enumerating State and Local Public Health Workforce

Strategic Insights -

A recent study has shed light on the challenges in enumerating the state and local public health workforce during the COVID-19 response. The research, conducted from 2023 to 2024 and triangulated with data from 2022, found that the public health workforce density in the United States is uneven and reflects chronic underinvestment in public health. The study utilized data from the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) and found that 239,000 staff were employed in state and local health departments in 2022, a 2% increase since 2012. However, 16 states, including 6 in the Southeast, lost staff relative to population growth. The researchers recommend building on federal investments to develop dedicated funding streams for state and local public health and amending federal efforts around enumeration to include governmental public health at all levels.

Key Takeaways:

  • The public health workforce density in the United States is uneven, with some states experiencing a decrease in staff relative to population growth.
  • A total of 239,000 staff were employed in state and local health departments in 2022, a 2% increase since 2012, according to the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS).
  • Sixteen states, including 6 in the Southeast, lost staff relative to population growth.
  • The research recommends building on federal investments to develop dedicated funding streams for state and local public health.
  • The study also recommends amending federal efforts around enumeration to include governmental public health at all levels.
  • The public health workforce is crucial for responding to public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The research highlights the need for chronic underinvestment in public health to be addressed to ensure a robust and effective public health workforce.
  • Abby Vogel, lead author on the study, notes the importance of building on federal investments to develop dedicated funding streams for state and local public health.

Statistics:

  • 239,000 staff were employed in state and local health departments in 2022 (PH WINS data).
  • This represents a 2% increase since 2012.
  • 16 states, including 6 in the Southeast, lost staff relative to population growth.
  • The public health workforce density in the United States is uneven, with some states experiencing a decrease in staff relative to population growth.

Sources:

  • Enumerating the State and Local Public Health Workforce During the Covid-19 Response. American Journal of Public Health, 2025;115(5):716-725.
  • American Journal of Public Health, 800 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001-3710, USA.
  • Abby Vogel, University of Minnesota, Ctr Publ Hlth Syst, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, United States.