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When you think of the health care workforce, nurses and physicians are probably the first professions which come to mind.

But there are actually more personal care aides in the US than physicians. Together with home health aides and nursing assistants, personal care aides comprise one-fifth of the US health care workforce. These workers provide essential supports to people who face limitations in basic activities such as eating, bathing, and moving around.

As the US population ages, the demand for home health and personal care aides is projected to increase by nearly 1.2 million additional jobs by 2030.

Esther Friedman from the University of Michigan joins A Health Podyssey to discuss the changing size in employment in the personal care workforce.

Friedman and colleagues published a paper in the December 2021 edition of Health Affairs investigating state level changes in the nursing home and home care workforce between 2009 and 2020. While almost all states experienced an increase in the overall size of their home care workforce, most saw a decrease in their nursing home workforce relative to the number of people who need these services.

If you enjoy this interview, order the December 2021 Health Affairs issue.

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