Public Health Crisis

Missing in much of the public debate in America about the health care system is the alarming lack of public health professionals. In a report by the American Schools of Public Health in 2008, 23% of the public health workforce (around 110,000 professionals) are due to retire before the end of 2012. This decrease in these necessary but below-the-radar people results in Health Department closures and restriction of needed services for those persons at risk and in need. What is our country doing about this and why has it taken so long to identify this need? Just yesterday, the Obama Administration announced approximately $50 million in funding for 37 training programs and the CDC to promote Public Health as a viable career option to health professionals. This will not be an immediate fix, but it does go a long way to stem the tide of ever falling numbers of people who's job it is to look out after our communal health. Now, it should not be that these folks are the only ones to look after the health needs of the community. However, they are the folks with the training and education to help mobilize the communal resources in effective and efficient ways to achieve better health for all. This week, find a public health professional and say thank you! In spite of the Republican rhetoric to the contrary, raise this new initiative up and say thank you to the Obama Admininstration for funding these programs. Finally, look to your local Public Health Department and ask how you might help out. I've joined our local Medical Reserve Corps, you might do the same, or offer your expertise as a volunteer in another meaningful way. Communal health is everyone's responsibility - don't shirk yours anymore. Peace for the journey, Dan