Bridging the Gap: Aligning Education for Public Health With Emerging Workforce Demands

• Published in: American journal of public health (1971) Vol. 114; no. 12; pp. 1298 - 1299
• Main Authors: Magaña, Laura, Burke, Emily M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Public Health Association 01.12.2024
• Subjects: Careers; Collaboration; Continuing education; COVID-19; Curricula; Data collection; Education; Effectiveness; Employers; Innovations; Job openings; Job vacancies; Pandemics; Professional development; Public health; Public health education; Public schools; Schools; Skills; Trends; Workforce
• ISSN: 0090-0036; 1541-0048; 1541-0048
• DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2024.307871

Given the emergence of new competencies and necessary skills, fueled in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, education for public health must align curricula with current workforce trends and employer demands.1 Educational and theoretical frameworks that adapt to changes in public health practice are crucial for preparing graduates for interprofessional opportunities across various industries and job sectors2,3 Furthermore, as evidenced by an analysis of job postings for MPH graduates by Krasna in this issue of AJPH (p. 1388), the Council on Education for Public Health has a unique opportunity in the upcoming 2026 criteria revision to establish competencies that address both core and specialized technical job requirements. Furthermore, while ASPPH has a robust data set on the first-destination outcomes of graduates of schools and programs of public health,4 our field lacks systematic data collection to observe the career trajectories and identify the continuing education needs of public health practitioners. Global and local perspectives provide innovative practices for curriculum updates, while education for public health offers models for incorporating cutting-edge technologies and addressing emerging health challenges.2 Cultivating and fostering partnerships with public health practitioners and employers can enhance educational relevance and effectiveness, equipping graduates to lead and innovate in a complex field.8 In addition, integrating education and labor data; focusing on technical skills, microcredentials, and certifications; and adapting curricula to reflect emerging trends can significantly boost graduates' employability and effectiveness.2 To stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field, education for public health must embrace both technological advancements and real-world demands.