Kentucky Health News
Kentucky is experiencing a surge in students pursuing health-related degrees, according to new data released by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
Enrollment in health-related majors across all public and private colleges and universities has increased 22.8% — or by 6,953 students — since 2022, according to a CPE news release.
CPE data show notable enrollment increases in healthcare programs among key populations, including:
- Appalachian students: up 32.1% (+2,769)
- Students age 25 and older: up 17.3% (+2,400)
- Low-income undergraduate students: up 30.5% (+2,321)*
- First-generation undergraduate students: up 31.0% (+1,800)*
*Financial aid indicators, including income and first-generation status, are collected through federal and state financial aid systems, which lag enrollment by one year and apply to undergraduates only.
Kentucky’s healthcare workforce shortages remain well-documented, affecting hospitals, clinics, long-term care providers, and EMS agencies across the commonwealth.
To address these challenges, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 10 in 2022, expanding tools to address nursing shortages, strengthening licensure processes, and improving training capacity.
The following year, House Bill 200 launched the Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund, which is now supported through public-private partnerships and provides scholarships, clinical expansion, and targeted supports to help Kentuckians enter high-demand healthcare fields.
“Although we are making progress, it is essential that our commonwealth continues to meet long-term workforce needs in nursing, behavioral health, imaging sciences, respiratory therapy and other critical fields,” CPE Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development Leslie Sizemore said in the release. “Kentucky hospitals alone continue to report thousands of vacancies statewide, particularly in rural communities.”
She added that CPE will request $1 million from the General Assembly in the next biennium to expand education-industry partnerships through the Healthcare Workforce Collaborative.
Since 2022, the Healthcare Workforce Collaborative has facilitated 12 summer bridge programs, funded $18.8 million in student scholarships, and awarded $8.5 million in institutional grants.