Building the Future of Public Health Workforce: Comprehensive Internship Program at Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute

Abstract

The United States public health workforce is facing a critical shortage, with a significant exodus of professionals from state and local health departments. This column discusses the importance of internship programs in developing a sustainable pipeline for new generations of public health professionals. The Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute’s internship program is examined as an example to provide insights for organizations seeking to establish or enhance their internship programs. From 2020 to 2023, HIPHI received 258 applications and accepted 119 interns, with an acceptance rate of 46%. Interns were mostly bachelor’s level students (69%), followed by master’s level students (24%). Most interns (66%) were public health majors, with others from related fields. The program offered diverse placements across various public health areas and provided training opportunities including orientation, webinars, and field excursions. Recommendations for workforce development include fostering stakeholder collaboration, supporting practicum host sites and job supervisors, sharing information and best practices, and promoting leadership development. A holistic strategy involving stakeholder collaboration, leadership development, evaluation, and ongoing workforce assessment is essential for developing a robust public health workforce capable of promoting health, preventing disease, reducing mortality, and responding effectively to future crises. Program evaluation is a necessary next step to understand how best to assist interns and early career professionals during their practicums.