Public health professionals have been working tirelessly to protect the population’s health and well-being, especially during the current pandemic. However, the job comes with a hefty price tag, as many public health practitioners are burdened with student loan debt throughout their careers.
According to the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, the average debt for public health graduates is above $46,000. This statistic puts a significant financial burden on aspiring healthcare professionals while also limiting career choices. Those with high student loan debt may feel the need to pursue higher paying jobs that don’t necessarily pertain to public health, which could deprive the community of knowledgeable and highly skilled professionals.
Thus, there has been a surge in demand for loan forgiveness programs. In addition to other healthcare professions like doctors and nurses, there are specific programs designated for those working in public health. Here’s why these programs are essential for public health professionals.
Loan Forgiveness Programs Help To Attract and Retain Top Talent
Public health programs are understaffed and underfunded, which often leads to burnout and high turnover rates for public health professionals. According to a recent study, 40% of public health workers plan to leave their jobs within five years. Providing loan forgiveness programs encourages public health workers to stay in the field, show support to staff, and reduce the need for costlier recruitment options.
Loan Forgiveness Programs Enable Public Health Professionals To Pursue Critical Career Paths
Public health professionals are crucial in providing essential healthcare services to communities but often have limited career paths in public health services. Loan forgiveness programs will allow staff an opportunity to pursue careers in the community, rural areas, research, and private sectors. Without the burden of debt, these professionals could concentrate more on finding ways to improve the health of the population.
Loan Forgiveness Programs Help to Address Health Inequities
Public health professionals commonly work in underserved areas, and loan forgiveness programs provide an opportunity to provide educational, research or healthcare support where needed the most. Through a debt relief program, practitioners can serve the local community without the worry of financial constraints that may divert them to other work opportunities.
Conclusion
Public health professionals are critical in healthcare services and providing services where and when it’s needed the most. However, excessive student loan debt often serves as a bottleneck, deterring practitioners from pursuing and disseminating health care in low-income, underserved, and rural areas. Loan forgiveness programs help relieve them of the financial burden of debt, allowing practitioners to pursue the paths they’re genuinely passionate about. This, in turn, helps retain and attract skilled professionals in the field, ultimately improving public health outcomes.
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