Why Public Health Needs Business-Savvy Leaders Now More Than Ever
| 4 Min Read
Public health professionals protect communities in ways most people rarely notice. Yet behind their efforts, the public health system is under strain. Staffing shortages, rising healthcare costs and growing demand for services are creating a leadership challenge for many organizations.
At the same time, the work of public health has become more complex. Leaders must manage budgets, oversee staff, navigate regulations and coordinate complex programs. The field increasingly needs professionals who understand both public health and organizational strategy. The online Master of Public Health/Master of Business Administration (M.P.H./M.B.A.) Dual Degree online program from Benedictine University helps future public health leaders develop this in-demand expertise.
The Public Health Leadership Gap
Public health departments across the U.S. face a significant workforce shortage. The American Public Health Association reports that state and local health departments need about 80,000 additional full-time employees simply to provide basic public health services. This shortage affects prevention programs, environmental health initiatives and emergency preparedness across communities.
Years of underfunding have intensified the problem. Analysis by the de Beaumont Foundation and the Public Health National Center for Innovations found that state and local health departments have lost about 15% of their essential staff over the past decade. Rebuilding the workforce would require roughly 54,000 additional employees in local health departments and 26,000 in state health departments.
Workforce demographics also reveal a leadership challenge. Findings from the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey conducted by the de Beaumont Foundation show that about 25% of state and local public health workers are age 35 or younger, while 54% have been at their current agency for five years or less. The survey also found that 71% of workers report experiencing at least one symptom of burnout. Together, these trends point to a leadership gap that public health organizations must fill with a new generation of professionals prepared to manage complexity, lead teams and drive change.
Why Are Business Skills Essential in Public Health?
Workforce shortages are only one part of the challenge. Public health organizations operate within a healthcare system that is becoming more complex and expensive, making strong management skills essential.
According to analysis from PwC, healthcare spending now exceeds $5 trillion annually and continues to rise at roughly 8% each year. PwC also reports that healthcare expenditures represent about 18% of the national economy, while administrative activities account for approximately 25% of healthcare spending.
Local health departments must often manage these pressures with limited resources. The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) reported in its 2024 Forces of Change Survey that about 23% of local health departments expected budget cuts for fiscal year 2025, and 79% of local health departments already employ fewer than 50 full-time workers. Business competencies that support public health leadership and address these issues include:
- Financial planning and budget management for health programs
- Strategic planning to prioritize high-impact initiatives
- Operations management for health services and community programs
- Marketing and communication strategies that promote healthier behaviors
- Data-driven decision-making to evaluate program outcomes
When combined with public health expertise, these capabilities help organizations improve population health while working within tight financial constraints. Benedictine University’s online M.P.H./M.B.A. dual degree program is specifically designed to cultivate these cross-disciplinary competencies, preparing graduates to lead public health organizations with both the scientific knowledge and the business acumen needed to drive meaningful, sustainable change.
Career Paths for Professionals With Dual Public Health and Business Expertise
The complexity of healthcare systems is creating strong demand for professionals with a combination of public health knowledge and management training. Organizations need leaders who can coordinate programs, supervise staff and guide long-term strategies.
Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The field is expected to produce about 62,100 annual job openings and the median annual salary is $117,960 as of May 2024. Career options include:
- Medical and health services manager
- Public health program director
- Health policy analyst
- Hospital operations leader
- Community health agency director
- Corporate wellness manager
These roles exist in government health departments, hospitals, nonprofit organizations and consulting firms. Employers increasingly seek professionals who combine population health expertise with strategic leadership skills.
Preparing the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders
The healthcare field is entering a period of significant change. BLS projects approximately 1.9 million healthcare job openings annually through 2034, underscoring the industry-wide scale of demand. Workforce shortages, rising healthcare costs and evolving service models are reshaping how health organizations operate. Meeting these challenges requires leaders who understand both public health science and organizational strategy.
Benedictine University’s online M.P.H./M.B.A. Dual Degree programprovides an efficient pathway to earning both credentials. The program combines flexible online coursework with CEPH-accredited public health training and a hands-on internship that allows students to apply their knowledge in real-world health settings.
Learn more about Benedictine University’s online M.P.H./M.B.A. Dual Degreeprogram.