Oral

Nearly every public health agency has suffered job losses in recent budget years. This trend has affected their ability to stand ready to respond to the full range of public health threats. In addition, expansion of coverage will require an increased number of health professionals to care for the population. Reducing health inequities, improving diversity in the workforce, increasing access and coverage all depend on a concentrated focus to develop a workforce that emulates the needs and diversity of the population served. Continued implementation of health reform measures will require specific attention to planning for an adequate public health workforce including retraining current public health professionals to take on new responsibilities. This session will focus on cutting edge initiatives aimed at workforce development traditional and nontraditional funding streams to support workforce development and discussion of the skill sets the public health workforce will need to meet the new challenges that lie ahead for the public health infrastructure.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)