One of the many lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the needed investment in a robust public health workforce that can respond to crises when they arise. Yet, a well-funded public health workforce isn’t enough--there also needs to be a fundamental commitment to health equity.

Unfortunately, years of disinvestment in governmental public health led to a system that wasn’t as prepared as it could have been for a pandemic, and COVID-19 demonstrated disproportionate impacts across racial and ethnic groups.

It is critical now more than ever to have a strong public health workforce that can address evolving challenges and needs, and build confidence in public health in communities disproportionately disenfranchised and negatively impacted by COVID-19.

The experts on this episode make the case for how a robust public health workforce could have changed the trajectory of our pandemic response, but also explain why we should reimagine what a strong public health workforce requires as we enter into pandemic recovery.

Guests: 

• Joneigh S. Khaldun, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Executive, State of Michigan and Chief Deputy Director for Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
• Lauren R. Powell, MPA, PhD, Vice President, US Health Equity and Community Wellness, Takeda

Resources:

• National Consortium for Public Health Workforce Development (de Beaumont Foundation)
• Profile of State and Territorial Public Health (ASTHO)
• Public Health Workforce Development (CDC)