Rural-urban differences in the public health workforce: findings from local health departments in three rural western states


  • Abstract

    Most local health departments or districts are small and rural; two thirds of the nation’s 2832 local health departments serve populations smaller than 50000 people.1 Rural local health departments have small staffs and slender budgets, yet they are expected to provide a wide array of services2 during a period when the health care system of which they are a part is undergoing change.3
    This study provided quantitative, population based data on the supply and composition of the rural public health workforce in 3 extremely rural states: Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming. The study focused on the relative supply of personnel in the principal public health occupational categories, differences across states in staffing levels, and difficulties experienced in recruiting and retaining personnel.


  • Authors:

    Rosenblatt RA, Casey S, Richardson M

  • Journal/Publisher:

    Am J Public Health

  • Edition:

    Jan 2002. 92(7):1102-1105

  • Link to Article

    Access the article here: Am J Public Health

  • Documents:

    Policy brief

  • Citation:

    Rosenblatt RA, Casey S, Richardson M. Rural-urban Differences In The Public Health Workforce: Findings From Local Health Departments In Three Rural Western States. Am J Public Health. Jan 2002 92(7):1102-1105

  • Related Studies:

    Rural-Urban Differences in the Public Health Workforce: Findings from Local Health Departments in Three Rural Western States (Alaska, Montana and Wyoming)