Survey of Big City Health Department Staff Reveals Acute Stress

The Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC – a forum for the leaders of America’s largest metropolitan health departments) released new survey data last week that found burnout and stress are up sharply among governmental public health workers. Burnout was reported as an issue by 43% of respondents, up from 25% in 2017. Also, 29% of BCHC respondents reported symptoms that indicate probable Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - more than those at state or other local health departments. The survey data comes from the 2021 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) and describes workplace perceptions, training needs, COVID-19 efforts, and well-being. Read more from BCHC here.