The Important and Evolving Role of the Health Care Sector in Job Creation and Workforce Development

While jobs in most other sectors are not being added as quickly as economists would like, health care jobs are expected to continue to grow. Increasing demand for health care will also add to this growth, as more companies are considering the health of the local workforce when deciding where to locate a business.Health, and health care, affect a community in many ways, including the productivity of its work force, the rising costs of insurance, and the growing need for health care professionals. Four industry experts share their perspectives on the increasingly important linkage of health care and economic and community development.

Photo of Stephen NewmanWho Will Treat The Sick? Emerging Trends in the Hospital-based Workforce

"I think we're headed toward a labor crisis in the health care delivery system…there needs to be work at the local, state, and federal level to expand the pipeline of professionals that can be trained and then oriented to work in the expanded health care delivery footprint that will be necessary to care for the population which is being placed within our system."

Dr. Stephen Newman, chief operating officer with Tenet Healthcare Corp.

Photo of Wayne RileyThe Intersection of Medical Training and Economic Development

"[T]he health professions over the next 25 to 50 years are going to be very fertile ground for a wide range of choices for young people to evaluate in terms of their health care career."

Dr. Wayne J. Riley, president and chief executive officer of Meharry Medical College

Photo of Jay BerkelhamerReady to Work? The Long-Term Impact of Child Health on Economic Development

"Healthy lifestyles that are set in the childhood years can have a dramatic impact on the effectiveness of our future workforce."

Dr. Jay Berkelhamer, past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Photo of Rhonda MedowsHealthy Workforce = Competitive Advantage?

"Employers have recognized the direct correlation of an employee's health, or the health status of their family members, and productivity [and] absenteeism."

Dr. Rhonda Medows, chief medical officer and executive vice president for UnitedHealth Group's Public Sector Programs