A recent surge in overdose deaths combined with the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic has translated into larger case volumes for medical examiner and coroner systems. States continue to struggle with growing, recruiting, and retaining board-certified forensic pathologists, resulting in a constricted workforce pipeline. This brief spotlights the critical role that international medical graduates play in minimizing forensic pathology workforce shortages, highlights some of the bottlenecks and limitations of the visa process, and examines considerations for state partners looking to harness the talent of these essential specialists.Read More »
Board-certified forensic pathologists play a critical role in public health by investigating death so as to better serve the living. Despite forensic pathology’s contribution to public health surveillance, prevention, and response, the discipline remains largely under-resourced. This brief spotlights a local effort to address financial disincentives for medical graduates entering the field and highlights federal funding opportunities and resources for state partners looking to minimize forensic pathology workforce shortages.Read More »
This brief discusses the difficulty of maintaining compassion and empathy during public health crises such, which ultimately leads to a phenomenon called compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue can test resiliency in responders and contribute to negative outcomes for those they serve. Through promoting self-care and compassion in health agencies, responders can increase resiliency and combat the negative effects of compassion fatigue, particularly during extended responses to public health crises.Read More »
Peer support is increasingly recognized as a critical component of successful recovery from substance use disorder. This brief discusses what peer support is, how it is financed, and how incorporating peer support services into federally qualified health centers can be an especially successful strategy for delivering care to safety-net populations. Examples from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, and Massachusetts are highlighted.Read More »
Public health officials are key in crafting policies and strategies that address the social determinants of health to advance health equity and improve population health. This infographic highlights 10 approaches that state and territorial health officials can explore with partners in the community, healthcare sector, and other governmental agencies to achieve optimal health for all.Read More »