An estimate of the need for environmental health academicians in the workforce

In July 1987, a workshop was held to evaluate the environmental health workforce. The workshop was sponsored by the Bureau of Health Professions. Health Resources and Services Administration of the Public Health Service. Participants were drawn from State and local agencies, Federal agencies, industry, and academia. Estimates of workforce needs were based on background information and informed consensus judgments of workshop participants. The final report of the workshop was published in January 1988. The authors synthesize some of the consensus judgements and review data from a position paper developed for the workshop. The supply, demand, and projected need for new academicians in environmental health on both graduate and undergraduate levels through 1992 are estimated. These estimates are based on the need for persons trained in the various environmental health subspecialties identified during the workshop. Outlined are the number and educational backgrounds of new faculty required. The types of new training programs that are required to meet the needs for environmental health specialists through 1992 are discussed.