By Jackie Miller

Healthforce Center’s latest report analyzes and projects future needs related to California’s behavioral health workforce and forecasts a shortage of qualified and diverse behavioral health professionals in California within 10 years.

Demand for health care professionals with expertise in long-term care (LTC) is rising, due to projected growth in the older population and the increasing burden of chronic disease. One way to meet this growing LTC workforce demand may be to employ more nurse practitioners (NPs) and/or physician assistants (PAs).

UCSF Report Shows Potential Shortfall of 4,700 Clinicians as Soon as 2025

California is expected to face a statewide shortfall of primary care providers in the next 15 years, with acute shortages in the Central Valley, Central Coast and Southern Border areas, due to the uneven distribution of care across the state, according to a report by Healthforce Center at UCSF.

By Jackie Miller

As a community health worker (CHW) at Care Connections Program in Los Angeles County, Walfred Lopez acts as a liaison between patients and medical professionals to help people find resources and overcome challenges related to chronic conditions. He’s part of a growing movement of CHWs who joined together on June 19 for Healthforce Center at UCSF’s event that introduced Walfred to a broader picture of the CHW landscape.

“It’s a complete movement, and there are a lot of people involved. I can see the bigger picture now,” he said.

A new NPR story about peer support for people with mental illness in Texas, features Joanne Spetz, Healthforce Center's associate director of research.

An independent study by Healthforce Center at UCSF has shown that California’s community paramedicine pilot projects have improved patient well-being and generated savings for insurers and hospitals.

by Healthforce Center Senior Research Analyst Lisel Blash, MPA

Jeannine had been working as a medical assistant (MA) for 20 years when her clinic recruited her to take part in a “senior medical home” for frail elders. Along with other seasoned MAs from her clinic, she attended classes in geriatrics and motivational interviewing skills. She and other MAs were deployed to help older adults stay well and in their homes.