By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The shortage of vaccine for the H1N1 virus is a growing concern for many who worry about catching the sometimes fatal disease. But public health officials say there's another shortage that also could be a threat. Experts say public health professionals could one day nbe in short supply.
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About 22 million people have contracted the H1N1 virus worldwide. Some people worry that there might not be enough H1N1 vaccine to go around. But what about having enough professionals to administer the vaccine, or to care for the sick - and working to prevent further spread?
Officials say public health workers could soon be in short supply too. Professor Dale Fish is with UB's school of public health and health professionals. He said it might be difficult to meet the need.
He said aging, diabetes, obesity and viral epidemics are only a few of the growing health challenges on the horizon. It is expected that more than 250,000 public healthcare workers will be needed by 2020.
Fish said about 100,000 of the current workforce will be retiring during that same period. And there are few places training that next wave.
Last week, UB's school of public health received national accreditation. Fish said the problem is that UB is one of only about 45 accredited public health schools in the country.
He said UB's school currently has about 80 students enrolled in various public health degree programs. But Fish said the accreditation should make it easier now to attract and recruit future public health professionals.