Thalia Porteny, PhD, MSc; Sorcha Brophy, PhD; Ru Jin Lim, MPH | Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University; Justin Markowski, PhD | University of Illinois Chicago
Competition Sponsor: National Academy of Medicine
Awardee Year: 2024
Awardee Year: 2024
Evidence suggests that older workers are reliable, capable of mastering new tasks and motivated to use their experienced skills to help others. These attributes serve to enhance supportive workplace environments and reduce turnover among workers of all ages, lowering costs for employers. Consequently, the Global Roadmap of Healthy Longevity recommends investing in age-friendly work environments to build social capital. The recommendation is relevant to the discussion of how best to respond to the recruitment and retention crisis affecting Community Health Centers (CHC), which are key providers of primary care to underserved populations. With about 30% of its workforce being 55+ years of age, CHCs ought to consider recruitment and retention of older workers a high priority, especially since a recent (2022-2023) HRSA survey indicates that older adults within the CHC workforce self-reported significantly higher indicators of wellbeing (e.g. higher job satisfaction, higher intention to stay, and lower burn-out rate) relative to other age groups. But why is it that older CHC workers report higher wellbeing? And how can that well-being lead to the desired worker recruitment and retention? This study aims to answer these questions. Using a mixed-methods design that integrates community engagement, the proposed study will examine the predictive characteristics and on-the-ground strategies that contribute to wellbeing among older adults within the CHC workforce in comparison to younger adults. Evidence gathered will be used as the basis for a subsequent application for funding to pilot a program focused on improving older health worker recruitment and retention in CHCs.