Moore JM. Studying an ill-defined workforce: public health workforce research. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2009;15(6 Suppl):S54-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0b013e3181b23978
This article describes challenges, issues, and strategies associated with public health workforce research. The factors that contribute to workforce supply and demand imbalances are reviewed, and the unique difficulties encountered with studies of public health workers are identified. Two case studies of previous public health workforce research conducted by the New York Center for Health Workforce Studies are used to illustrate how different levels of analyses can be used to better understand recruitment and retention issues of public health workers and to inform programs and policies designed to ensure a well-sized and competent public health workforce.