The System Under Pressure: Burnout in the Public Health Workforce.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To characterize burnout among state and local governmental public health workers and identify implications for public health workforce capacity and sustainability. <b>Methods.</b> We analyzed 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data to assess self-reported burnout and generational differences among US state and local employees. <b>Results.</b> At least 1 symptom of burnout was reported by 71% of respondents. However, burnout was most prominent among Generation Z and Millennials, with 17% and 19% reporting persistent symptoms and 4% and 5% reporting complete burnout, respectively; 10% of Baby Boomers reported persistent symptoms and 1% reported complete burnout. A Rao-Scott adjusted χ² test showed that the association between burnout and generation was significant, <i>F</i> (7.6, 6674.4) = 89.7, <i>P</i> < .001. <b>Conclusions.</b> High rates of burnout across the PH WINS respondents indicate a systemwide issue. However, higher burnout rates among younger workers highlight the need for targeted interventions and institutionalized changes to support the workforce going forward. <b>Public Health Implications.</b> Systemwide, sustained worker well-being improvements are essential to maintaining a thriving public health workforce, especially as younger generations continue to move into the workforce. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. Published online ahead of print June 18, 2026:e1-e4. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308562).