Competency Shapes Capacity: Strengthening the US Governmental Epidemiology Workforce

Objectives. To assess the competencies of the state and local governmental epidemiology workforce. Methods. We analyzed 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey data from 4341 epidemiologists (weighted n = 18 177) in the United States. Respondents rated proficiency across 5 domains. Skills were dichotomized and summed to a composite score (0-5; α = 0.81). Frequencies and ordinal logistic regression examined the associations with education, training, and tier. Results. Data modernization (42.3%) and information systems (36.8%) had the lowest proficiency. Mean competency score was 3.28 (SE = 0.04). A master's (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.80) and doctoral degree (AOR = 2.96) were associated with greater proficiency (both P < .01), as was epidemiology specialization (AOR = 1.63; P < .01). Epidemiology tier showed a positive gradient, with odds increasing (all P < .01). Conclusions. Many epidemiologists reported limited proficiency. Overall proficiency gaps were larger among early-career epidemiologists and those without education or training. Data modernization and informatics showed the largest gaps across all groups. Public Health Implications. Expanding curricula and training to include data modernization and informatics, investing in professional development, and building equitable capacity across jurisdictions are essential to strengthening epidemiological readiness. (Am J Public Health. 2026;116(S5):S436-S445. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308699).