The United States is currently experiencing a health care workforce shortage. The American Hospital Association reports that there will be a shortage of 100,000 critical health care workers by 2028.
This shortage is impacting every sector in healthcare. From staffing in emergency departments to the mental health sector and dental care. This crisis is also set to worsen as Trump’s immigration crackdowns are putting the country’s home health workforce at risk.
More than ever, the United States will need more people pursuing health-related degrees and studying courses such as online nurse practitioner programs. This is because the country will need a significantly larger workforce to care for its rapidly aging population.
What is the healthcare workforce shortage?
The United States is currently facing an unprecedented healthcare workforce shortage following the pandemic. This is also occurring at a time when healthcare demand is at an all-time high, as the population is aging.
While many outlets are focusing on the impact on nursing staff, the workforce shortage is being experienced across all healthcare sectors. For example, in primary care, allied health, and aged care.
Although it is commonly believed that the shortage was caused by COVID-19, this is not true. The pandemic only accelerated and worsened the factors contributing to the shortage. These factors include:
- Workplace violence: Violence against healthcare workers intensified during the pandemic. This increased aggression is a serious safety concern, leading to burnout and poor working conditions.
- Aging workforce: Statistics report that over half of the current nursing workforce is aged 40 or over. The overall health care workforce is aging, with many considering retirement, and their numbers aren’t being replenished.
- Enrollment declines: New data reveal that enrollment has declined for some healthcare professions, such as nursing. This contributes to the shortage as the number of new people entering the workforce is reduced.
- Emotional burnout: The number of healthcare workers experiencing emotional burnout has hit an unprecedented high due to COVID-19. This has led to a significant number of the workforce changing careers or retiring altogether.
- Salary & working conditions: With the cost of living, many healthcare professions aren’t as appealing as other industries due to their less-than-competitive pay. It’s also unattractive when combined with the reported poor working conditions, high workload, and stress.
Statistics reveal that approximately 75 million people live in a primary care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Additionally, 58 million people live in a dental health HPSA, and a total of 122 million people live in a mental health HPSA. These numbers are only expected to worsen, especially with Trump’s immigration crackdown.
The home health workforce
The home health workforce is part of the overall healthcare workforce. It consists of any professionals (e.g., nurses, physical therapists, physicians) and direct care workers (e.g., home health aides, personal care aides) who provide health care or support services to individuals in their own homes.
Data reveals that there are approximately 2.3 million home care workers part of the overall home health workforce. They play a crucial role in providing support to older people and people with disabilities in their homes and in community settings.
These home care workers play a vital role in delivering care to elderly people across the country. Statistics reveal that the country’s centenarian population is projected to quadruple over the next 30 years.
Currently, 1 in 6 people in the United States is 65 or older. This demographic puts a strain on the health care system, as they typically require more care than the rest of the population due to complex and chronic health conditions.
Unfortunately, the main workforce providing care to seniors, home care workers, is being hit hard by Trump’s immigration crackdown. Although more than 1 in 5 US workers are foreign-born, they make up a significant portion of the home health workforce.
Statistics reveal that more than 40% of home health aides are foreign-born. A significant portion of the home health workforce is filled by immigrant labor, and is vital to supporting the country’s aging population and other vulnerable demographics.
Trump and the immigration crackdown
Unfortunately, President Trump’s immigration crackdown is threatening to tear down the home health workforce, leaving the country understaffed and underequipped for the multiple public health crises it faces.
Home health and personal care aides were one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, but this is set to change with Trump’s crackdowns. The President is pushing to strip hundreds of thousands of foreign workers of work authorizations.
In addition to this, Trump is also looking to ramp up deportation, which has many industries hesitant to hire any foreign-born workers. Already, this is worsening the workforce shortage and causing facilities, such as nursing homes, to close entire wings.
Trump’s crackdowns are impacting the country’s most important industry, healthcare, and hurting the most vulnerable demographic, seniors. While this is happening, the country is also reporting a rise in older adults dying from accidental falls.
The home health workforce is the backbone and beating heart of the United States, and Trump’s crackdowns are going to harm everybody who needs care, which is everyone at some stage in their life.
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