Open AccessBuilding a Sustainable Governmental Public Health Workforce: A Look at the Millennial Generation
Author(s) -
Rachel Locke,
Melissa Gambatese,
Katie Sellers,
Elizabeth Corcoran,
Brian C. Castrucci
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of public health management and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.771
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1550-5022
pISSN - 1078-4659
DOI - 10.1097/phh.0000000000001247
Subject(s) - workforce , baby boom , aging in the american workforce , agency (philosophy) , context (archaeology) , generation x , public health , public relations , appeal , business , baby boomers , political science , psychology , population , sociology , medicine , economic growth , nursing , environmental health , demographic economics , economics , geography , social science , law , archaeology
Millennials have had a profound impact on society, the economy, and the US workforce. This study used generational definitions published by the Pew Research Center. Millennials includes respondents who reported an age between 21 and 36 years (born in 1981-1996) at the time the 2017 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) was administered. Generation X includes respondents who reported an age between 37 and 52 years (born in 1965-1980), and the baby boom generation (baby boomers) includes respondents between 53 and 71 years of age (born in 1946-1964). Public sector agencies, including governmental public health, are increasingly interested in figuring out how to attract and retain millennials. As the governmental public health workforce anticipates upcoming retirements, knowledge about the motivations and organizational characteristics that appeal to millennials is crucial to understanding the millennial workforce and workplace dynamics for decades to come. In 2017, millennials made up 22% of the governmental public health workforce, Generation X 40%, and baby boomers 37%.