New PH WINS 2024 Data Is Here — Thank You, Region 1!

The New England Public Health Training Center (NEPHTC) is excited to share the release of the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS)—the only nationally representative survey focused on the experiences, needs, and priorities of the state and local governmental public health workforce. Led by the de Beaumont Foundation and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), this survey provides critical insights to help strengthen and support the public health workforce nationwide.

This year’s PH WINS survey reached a record-breaking 56,595 public health employees across state and local agencies, thanks in large part to new partnerships with the 10 Regional Public Health Training Centers, the Big Cities Health Coalition, and State Associations of County and City Health Officials in North Dakota, Montana, and New Jersey. The sample size of local health departments more than quadrupled compared to 2021, resulting in a richer, more inclusive dataset. The overall response rate was an impressive 37%.

We especially want to recognize and thank Region 1 Workforce Champions—those who coordinated and encouraged survey participation in their organizations—as well as all public health professionals in our region who completed the survey. Your voices are shaping the future of public health practice, policy, and training.

Key Findings from PH WINS 2024:

  • Education: Only 22% of respondents hold a public health degree.

  • A Younger Workforce: 25% are 35 or younger; 54% have been at their agency for 5 years or less.

  • Retention: 75% of workers plan to stay at their agency in the next year, while 27% of those planning to leave hope to stay in government public health.

  • Burnout: 71% are experiencing at least one symptom of burnout; 20% report symptoms nearly all the time.

  • Training Needs: Top areas where workers seek training include budget and financial management (51%), policy engagement (40%), and systems/strategic thinking (34%).

  • Community Engagement: 75% say their agency regularly involves community members; 74% agree their agency prioritizes community input.

A new interactive dashboard makes it easier than ever to explore this data by state, agency type, role, and more—providing a valuable tool for planning workforce development strategies and guiding policy decisions.

Read more about the 2024 findings here!

NEPHTC looks forward to using this data to shape responsive, effective training opportunities for the Region 1 workforce. Thank you again for your participation and commitment to public health!