Bekemeier Publishes Research Article on the Effects of Remote Work on Rural Local Public Health in the American Journal of Public Health
Posted: 8/6/2026 ()
CSDE Affiliate Betty Bekemeier (Child, Family, & Population Health Nursing) and co-authors recently published a research article in the American Journal of Public Health titled, “Remote Work: How US State Practices Affect Rural Local Public Health.” The objective of this research is to explore rural local health department (LHD) leaders’ perspectives on how remote work practices among state health departments (SHD) may be affecting rural efforts. Dr. Bekemeier and co-authors conducted a mixed-methods study, where they collected and analyzed qualitative data from 14 rural LHD leaders across the United States in January through April 2025. They also analyzed 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey data, examining the prevalence of remote work among state health departments and local health department staff as well as any significant differences in job satisfaction, retention, and risk of turnover between remote and in-person staff. To read the full article and learn about Dr. Bekemeier and her team’s research, visit this link.