More students in Kentucky are pursuing degrees in health-related fields.
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education announced during a Healthcare Workforce Collaborative event in Lexington Tuesday that enrollment in health-related majors across Kentucky public and private colleges and universities is up 22.8 percent since 2022.
According to the CPE, data shows enrollment in healthcare degrees has grown among several key demographics. Enrollment among students age 25 and older is up 17.3 percent, among low-income undergraduate students is up 30.5 percent, among first-generation undergraduate students is up 31 percent, and among Appalachian students is up 32.1 percent.
The CPE says state officials have taken steps in recent years to address the shortage of healthcare workers in the state, including the passing of House Bill 200 in 2023 which is now “supported through public-private partnerships and provides scholarships, clinical expansion, and targeted support to help Kentuckians enter high-demand healthcare fields.” The CPE is requesting $1,000,000 from the Kentucky General Assembly in the next biennium to expand the Healthcare Workforce Collaborative and expand opportunities for more students.
