One of the most urgent but often overlooked global health crises is the severe shortage of healthcare workers. According to the World Health Organization, the world will face a deficit of over 10 million health professionals by 2030, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the heaviest burden. Doctors, nurses, midwives, and community health workers form the backbone of any health system—but many regions lack the training infrastructure, fair wages, or career support needed to retain them. As a result, already fragile systems are collapsing under the pressure of pandemics, chronic disease, aging populations, and climate-related emergencies.
This shortage doesn’t just delay appointments or increase ER wait times—it costs lives. When healthcare workers are overburdened, burned out, or absent, patients suffer from misdiagnoses, inadequate follow-up, and preventable complications. It also worsens inequities: rural, marginalized, and underserved communities are hit hardest. Addressing this crisis requires investing in training, protecting health workers’ mental and physical well-being, and ensuring equitable pay and safe working conditions. A resilient global health system begins with a strong, supported workforce. Without one, the promise of universal healthcare remains out of reach.
-Iverson
Equity Over Equality: A Public Health Blog 
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