From Heroes to Zeroes: The Unraveling Support for Public Health in COVID Pandemic-Era Connecticut.

OBJECTIVES

To assess public health workers' mental well-being and emotional needs; evaluate resource gaps and needs for public health workers since the COVID-19 pandemic; formulate and predict professional/personal strategies to support workers in future pandemics.

METHODS

Between 2021 and 2022, qualitative data were collected via Qualtrics survey and focus groups from Connecticut public health workers (N = 132) with 3 question areas: (1) challenges experienced during the pandemic; (2) professional/personal needs; and (3) recommendations for how governing organizations can support workers. Thematic and content analyses were performed using NVivo-12 software.

RESULTS

Participants reported experiencing gaps in knowledge and response strategies, lack of support, and shortages in staffing and grant spending. Challenges included concerns over personal safety, job security, post-traumatic stress disorder, and feelings of guilt and burnout.

CONCLUSION

Governing agencies were limited in their ability to supply resources to struggling employees. Results from this study, and recommendations from health workers, should be integrated into response for future pandemics.