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Local health departments face a mounting work force crisis as they struggle to recruit, train and retain qualified workers ranging from nurses to epidemiologists, according to a study released today by the Center for Studying Health System Change.

Inadequate funding, a lack of competitive salaries and benefits, an exodus of retiring workers, too few trained workers and lack of enthusiasm for public health as a career choice were all reasons for the shortage, according to the study. It was funded through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Respondents described public health funding as inadequate, undermining public health agencies’ ability to recruit and retain a sufficient and trained work force savings account payday advance. Many respondents blamed a lack of political support for public health.

Uncompetitive salaries were the most frequently cited reason for being unable to attract candidates to public health, especially new graduates who have to pay off large student loans.

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