Remote Work: How US State Practices Affect Rural Local Public Health.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To explore rural local health department (LHD) leaders' perspectives on how remote work practices among state health departments (SHDs) may be affecting rural efforts. <b>Methods.</b> For this sequential mixed-methods study, we collected and analyzed qualitative data from 14 rural LHD leaders across the United States in January through April 2025. We also analyzed 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey data, examining the prevalence of remote work among SHD and LHD staff as well as any significant differences in job satisfaction, retention, and risk of turnover between remote and in-person staff. <b>Results.</b> Participants described impacts of the SHD's remote work options with respect to LHD staff retention and SHD staff's accessibility and familiarity with the LHD's rural needs. Quantitative analyses demonstrated higher rates of remote work among state health staff compared with rural but did not show any significant differences in outcomes of interest, including job satisfaction. <b>Conclusions.</b> Findings point to the ongoing use of and challenges with remote work. Opportunities exist to improve implementation of remote policies and to strengthen support for rural LHDs. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. Published online ahead of print June 18, 2026:e1-e9. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308550).