As the United States faces multiple public health crises, the next generation of leaders in healthcare and health education must be prepared. They will need effective communication, adaptability, decision-making, and collaboration skills to lead their teams through the complex environments of their field.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially recognized that America is experiencing a mental health crisis, alongside a workforce shortage and an aging population problem. While this trend was observed before COVID-19, it was worsened by pandemic-related factors.
Statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) reveal that millions of people are affected by mental illness. More than one in five US adults experience a serious mental health condition every year.
Structured academic pathways that shape future leaders, often found at institutions like Rockhurst University, are crucial in combating the United States’ public health crises. These institutions provide professionals with a place where they can refine their leadership voice and develop skills needed to influence the future of care and health education.
The mental health crisis
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than a billion people are living with a mental health condition worldwide. According to NAMI, US adults make up more than 60 million of this figure.
The mental health crisis is also impacting youths in particular. One study published in the National Library of Medicine found that in 2023, almost 40% of high school students were reporting persistent feelings of sadness or loneliness.
Combating this crisis will require the next generation of leadership to focus on public health measures. They will need the ability to leverage public health data, science, and systems to improve mental health outcomes and awareness.
Stigma, prejudice, and discrimination around mental health remain a massive barrier to accessing care, especially in diverse racial and ethnic communities. Statistics reveal that this contributes to more than half of people not receiving support for their mental health disorders.
Strong public health leadership can help through:
- Normalizing receiving mental health care through promotion
- Involving the participation of people with “lived experience” in care
- Targeting groups and communities where the stigma is problematic
- Tailoring campaigns to the specific community, language, and culture
The workforce shortage
The United States is currently experiencing a workforce shortage that is exacerbated by factors like the country’s aging population and extreme levels of burnout. It’s estimated that there will be a shortfall of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.
As of 2025, statistics from the Bureau of Health Workforce report that 92 million people live in a primary care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Additionally, 64 million live in a dental health HPSA, and a total of 137 million people live in a mental health HPSA.
The workforce shortage is impacting all areas of healthcare, and living in an HPSA is linked to several negative outcomes, including:
- Workers experiencing higher levels of burnout
- People living in HPSAs are linked to higher prevalence of chronic disease
- Residents in HPSAs are more likely to report a worse health status and difficulty accessing care
The up-and-coming next generation of healthcare leaders will need the skills to campaign for better working conditions to combat burnout and increase employee retention.
Declining vaccination rates
New data from the CDC reveal that childhood vaccination rates across the United States continue to drop. Only 10 states in the country had coverage above 95%, which has led to immunization gaps causing measles outbreaks in multiple states, a disease once declared “eliminated” in the country back in 2000.
With multiple vaccine rates dropping, it’s also possible the country will see a rise in cases of illnesses such as pertussis (whooping cough). This decline in vaccination rates is due to a rise in misinformation and distrust, pandemic burnout, and healthcare access barriers.
The declining vaccine rates are a growing issue that falls on the shoulders of healthcare leaders and educators. Health literacy rates are currently at an all-time low, with nearly nine out of ten adults struggling with it. This is contributing to negative outcomes, including declining vaccine rates.
Healthcare leaders and education
Healthcare leaders, such as stakeholders in clinics, hospital systems, and state agencies, play a crucial role in health education. Health education is the process of health professionals empowering individuals and communities to better access, understand, and utilize information to make informed decisions about their own health.
America’s health literacy can improve through health education initiatives, such as public health campaigns and leaders investing in education. The next generation of health leadership must learn the skills necessary through formal education at institutions like Rockhurst University so they can combat the multiple health crises the country faces.
