Healthcare faces deficit of 100,000 workers by 2028

Healthcare faces deficit of 100,000 workers by 2028
Becker's Hospital Review; by Molly Gamble; 8/29/24
A nationwide shortage of 100,000 healthcare workers is anticipated by 2028, with some states facing projected surpluses or severe deficits between future supply and demand. The finding comes from Mercer, which examined projected changes to the U.S. healthcare labor market by 2028 for states and metro and micro statistical areas. If current U.S. workforce trends continue, the healthcare workforce is projected to reach 18.6 million by 2028, an increase of over 1.5 million from 2023. However, with demand expected to rise to 18.7 million, this still leaves a shortfall of more than 100,000 workers within five years. While this gap may not seem critical in absolute terms, it adds significant strain to a healthcare system already burdened by geographic and demographic disparities in access to care.
Publisher's note: This finding is particularly important for hospices already facing workforce shortages and challenges finding staff committed to the hospice philosophy of care.