Attainment of Public Health Degrees in the Governmental Public Health Workforce in 2024.

Abstract

Objectives. To examine formal public health educational attainment in state health agency and local health department employees in 2024 and to discuss implications for public health workforce development. Methods. Using data (n = 56 238, unweighted; n = 236 575, weighted) from the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey in the United States, collected between September 2024 and January 2025, we made inferential comparisons using Rao-Scott adjusted χ² and fit a logit regression that examined graduate public health degree attainment. Results. Twenty-two percent (12 238/56 238, unweighted; 51 783/236 575, weighted) reported having a public health degree; that proportion is closer to one half among those aged 35 years and younger in the public health sciences. Of public health worker subpopulations, those younger than 50 years old, Asian employees, Black employees, and nonmale staff members (women and other genders) were significantly more likely to have a public health graduate degree than the reference groups. Conclusions. The majority of public health workers do not have public health degrees. Public Health Implications. On-the-job training support should be coupled with deepening academic-practice pathways to ensure the workforce is prepared. (Am J Public Health. 2026;116(S5):S398-S405. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308453).