Local Health Department Epidemiologic Capacity: A Stratified Cross-Sectional Assessment Describing the Quantity, Education, Training, and Perceived Competencies of Epidemiologic Staff

Abstract

Introduction: Local health departments (LHDs) must have sufficient numbers of staff functioning in an epidemiologic role with proper education, training, and skills to protect the health of communities they serve. This pilot study was designed to describe the composition, training, and competency level of LHD staff and examine the hypothesis that potential disparities exist between LHDs serving different sized populations.Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with directors and epidemiologic staff from a sample of 100 LHDs serving jurisdictions of varied sizes. Questionnaires included inquiries regarding staff composition, education, training, and measures of competency modeled on previously conducted studies by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. Number of epidemiologic staff, academic degree distribution, epidemiologic training, and both director and staff confidence in task competencies were calculated for each LHD size strata.Results: Disparities in measurements were observed in LHDs serving different sized populations. LHDs serving small populations reported a smaller average number of epidemiologic staff than those serving larger jurisdictions. As size of population served increased, percentages of staff and directors holding bachelors’ and masters’ degrees increased, while those holding RN degrees decreased. A higher degree of perceived competency of staff in most task categories was reported in LHDs serving larger populations.Discussion: LHDs serving smaller populations reported fewer epidemiologic staff, therefore might benefit from additional resources. Differences observed in staff education, training, and competencies suggest that enhanced epidemiologic training might be particularly needed in LHDs serving smaller populations. Results can be used as a baseline for future research aimed at identifying areas where training and personnel resources might be particularly needed to increase the capabilities of LHDs.

Factors Associated with the Competencies of Public Health Workers in Township Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Chongqing Municipality, China

“…Further study on the impact factors using stepwise regression analysis is presented in Table 5 . The results show five relevant factors of the PHWs’ self-evaluation competency scores: economic level, age, years of working (yeas as a PHW), major, and title [ 49 ]. As previously mentioned, a higher economic level causes higher competency scores.…”

The Epidemiology and Surveillance Workforce among Local Health Departments in California: Mutual Aid and Surge Capacity for Routine and Emergency Infectious Disease Situations

“…A pilot study extended the work of previous CSTE studies and described the composition, training, and competency level of LHD staff functioning in an epidemiologic role within their organization. 24 However, previous ECA surveys have not described how the epidemiology capacity within an LHD is used during routine vs. emergency situations, where the roles and responsibilities may shift due to staff availability, competence, and response needs. Understanding the role of nontraditional sources of epidemiologic support and ensuring that these sources are adequately trained and have the resources to meet the epidemiologic needs is essential to an effective public health response during infectious disease emergencies.…”

Public Health Student Response to COVID-19

“…Assessments by national organizations such as the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), and National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) have shown that there are approximately 8,000 epidemiology positions in governmental public health across the U.S., which represents only 3% of the entire public health workforce [7]. In addition, little is known about the epidemiology-specific education and training of the current public health workforce [8]. In many public health agencies, epidemiology functions including disease surveillance, study design, data collection and analysis, and designing disease control methods are carried out by public health nurses or environmental health specialists [9].…”

“…In many public health agencies, epidemiology functions including disease surveillance, study design, data collection and analysis, and designing disease control methods are carried out by public health nurses or environmental health specialists [9]. One-third of epidemiology staff in small and medium jurisdictions lack formal academic training in epidemiology, limiting the overall epidemiologic capacity of the public health system [8,9].…”