The Global Health Workforce: An Economic Imperative

On Monday, April 20, 2026, the North Carolina Global Health Alliance (NCGHA) convened 60 global health leaders from across North Carolina at FHI 360's headquarters in Durham to bridge a critical gap in our state's dialogue: the intersection of global health and economic development

​

Connecting the Global to the Local

Dr. Jerry Bloomfield, the NCGHA’s new Board Chair, kicked off the event by defining the Alliance’s unique role. He described North Carolina not just as a participant in global health, but as a leader. The Alliance serves as the glue connecting our world-class research institutions and thriving businesses to something larger than any one organization could achieve alone.

​

Following Dr. Bloomfield, NCGHA Executive Director, Brianna Clarke-Schwelm, addressed the question, why does North Carolina need its own global health alliance? The answer lies in economic development. With over 900 organizations reaching 175 countries, this sector brings $32 billion in value to our state annually, an impact comparable to the construction industry that we see on our daily commutes.

​

The Human Infrastructure

Karah Pedersen then took the stage to shift our focus to the frontline. She spoke passionately about the people who make health systems function. Her message was clear: the global health workforce is not just a budget line item, it is the essential infrastructure of a functioning society. Without paid, safe, and supported workers, even the most advanced medical technology fails to reach those in need.

 

Fireside Chat: Healthy Populations as Economic Engines

After a brief networking break, we welcomed Dr. Mandy Cohen of Manatt Health and Dr. Tessie San Martin of FHI 360 for a two-chapter conversation that served as the heart of the event.

• Chapter One: Health as Infrastructure. The speakers discussed how a healthy population is the bedrock of economic productivity. Dr. San Martin noted that under-investment in health leads to massive productivity losses, while Dr. Cohen emphasized that the global health sector is a major employer within our own state borders.

• Chapter Two: The Workforce as an Engine. The discussion turned toward the workforce itself. We explored how the 56,000 global health jobs in North Carolina create a ripple effect, supporting local businesses and fueling innovation. The audience engaged deeply here, asking how we can better translate health outcomes into economic data that policymakers can't ignore, and what individual impacted workers can do to continue careers of impact.

 

Dr. San Martin​ emphasized that health is a long-term investment that drives productivity. She noted that global growth results in demand for U.S. products, meaning we are deeply invested in the health of the rest of the world for our own prosperity. Dr. Cohen spoke on the importance of trust and communication. She highlighted that for the public to value health as an "end" in itself, we must be better translators of our work, moving from "wonky" policy talk to human-centered stories.

 

The View from Raleigh

To bring the conversation home, Marina Pieretti from the NCDHHS Division of Public Health gave a presentation on workforce development efforts right here in NC. She showcased how the state is working to bridge the gap between global expertise and local public health needs, ensuring that the skills learned abroad are being applied to keep North Carolinians safe.

​

What's Next?

At the NCGHA, we are committed to ensuring North Carolina remains a place where this talent is valued, utilized, and integrated into our economic vision. We cannot afford to lose the very people who keep our state and the world running.

​

The conversations shared in this session were more than just reflections, they are the foundation for the NCGHA's state-level advocacy strategy over the coming year. As we look to the future, our focus is clear: we must protect, retain, and grow the life-saving talent that calls North Carolina home.

 

Our current priorities include:​

1. Protecting our Current Workforce: The stories we have heard from our community over the last year, and the recent reports of skilled professionals facing career uncertainty, underscore the fragility of our sector's current infrastructure. The NCGHA is committed to being a vocal champion at the state level to ensure that these workers are recognized as essential economic contributors. We are working to ensure that when global shifts occur, our local workforce has the support and visibility needed to pivot and remain in the spaces where their expertise is most effective.

2. Building a Pipeline for the Future: North Carolina's universities are graduating some of the brightest young minds in global health, but a degree is only the first step. To keep this talent from leaving our state, we need to better bridge the gap between graduation and long-term career placement. Our goal is to create an ecosystem where North Carolina isn't just a place to study global health, but the premier destination to build a career in it.