The Association of State and Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors has been tracking trends in the public health nutrition workforce (PHNW) since 1985. A census of the PHNW was last conducted in 1999, and included data from state health agencies, local health agencies, and Indian Tribal Organizations. The survey was funded by USDA in an effort to help evaluate efforts to recruit and retain qualified nutrition professionals within the WIC Program. Data from the survey are essential for nutrition program planning and development, and to assist in the evaluation and monitoring of public health nutrition services. A profile of the PHNW will be presented that describes: educational preparation, professional licensure and certifications, self-perceived training needs, racial-ethnic background, primary and secondary languages, salaries, job classifications, job functions, sources of funding for the PHNW, and longevity. This profile will be compared to the previous profile of 1994. Although the primary purpose of this survey was to evaluate the capacity of the WIC nutrition workforce, all members of the PHNW were included in the survey. The capacity of both the WIC workforce and the non-WIC workforce will be profiled, and evaluated in respect to the Healthy People 2010 Objectives on Nutrition and Overweight.
Learning Objectives: During this session, the faculty will describe trends in the public health nutrition workforce, and will provide a profile of the public health nutrition force in 1999
Keywords: Nutrition, Workforce
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Association of State and Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors conducted the survey which will be discussed. The survey was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.