The System Under Pressure: Burnout in the Public Health Workforce

Objectives. To characterize burnout among state and local governmental public health workers and identify implications for public health workforce capacity and sustainability. Methods. We analyzed 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data to assess self-reported burnout and generational differences among US state and local employees. Results. At least 1 symptom of burnout was reported by 71% of respondents. However, burnout was most prominent among Generation Z and Millennials, with 17% and 19% reporting persistent symptoms and 4% and 5% reporting complete burnout, respectively; 10% of Baby Boomers reported persistent symptoms and 1% reported complete burnout. A Rao-Scott adjusted χ² test showed that the association between burnout and generation was significant, F (7.6, 6674.4) = 89.7, P < .001. Conclusions. High rates of burnout across the PH WINS respondents indicate a systemwide issue. However, higher burnout rates among younger workers highlight the need for targeted interventions and institutionalized changes to support the workforce going forward. Public Health Implications. Systemwide, sustained worker well-being improvements are essential to maintaining a thriving public health workforce, especially as younger generations continue to move into the workforce. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 18, 2026:e1-e4. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308562).