This study examines demographic trends among biosafety professionals from 2013 to 2024, focusing on changes in age, race, education, experience, and income. The goal is to inform educational and targeted interventions for the evolving needs of the biosafety profession.
Methods:
Surveys were conducted in 2013, 2016, 2020, 2023, and 2024 among ABSA International affiliates and Institutional Biosafety Committee contacts. Longitudinal analyses using Chi square, Cochran–Armitage tests, logistic regression, and one-way analysis of variance were performed to assess demographic shifts. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results:
The study revealed demographic and professional shifts within the biosafety field from 2013 to 2024. There was a marked increase in the proportion of older, more experienced professionals and those holding doctoral degrees. However, female representation declined, and the field remained predominantly White, with minimal change in racial and ethnic diversity. Although income increased significantly, the rise was less substantial when adjusted for inflation. Education level and experience consistently predicted higher income, while the influence of age and gender on salary varied over time.
Discussion:
The aging workforce and higher educational attainment highlight the need for policies to attract younger and more diverse talent in the biosafety profession. Income growth, though nominally significant, showed modest real gains after inflation adjustment. Understanding these trends is crucial for sustaining and developing the biosafety profession.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Office of Science and Technology Policy. Policy for the Oversight of Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Potentially Emerging Pandemic Pathogens (PEPP): OSTP: Washington, DC; 2024.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public health security and bioterrorism preparedness and response act of 2002. Pub. L, 2002; 594:107–188, 116.
7.
Office of Science and Technology Policy. United States Government policy for institutional oversight of life sciences Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC). Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; 2014.
8.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Recommended Policy Guidance for Departmental Development of Review Mechanisms for Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight (P3CO). 2017.
9.
SilvaOM, CabralDB, MarinSM, et al.Biosafety measures to prevent COVID-19 in healthcare professionals: An integrative review. Rev Bras Enferm, 2021; 75(1):e20201191; doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2020-1191
10.
AhmadT, HaroonH, DhamaK, et al.Biosafety and biosecurity approaches to restrain/contain and counter SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid-review. Turk J Biol, 2020; 44(3):132–145; doi: 10.3906/biy-2005-63
11.
RutjesSA, VennisIM, WagnerE, et al.Biosafety and biosecurity challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Front Bioeng Biotechnol, 2023; 11:1117316; doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1117316
12.
GillumDR, RiceAD, MendozaIA. The COVID-19 pandemic response: Biosafety perspectives from a large research and teaching institution. Appl Biosaf, 2022; 27(2):64–78; doi: 10.1089/apb.2022.0001
13.
KaragülMS, SaracF, HasöksüzM. Enhanced significance of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity during COVID-19 pandemic. Acta Vet Eurasia, 2021; 47(2); doi: 10.5152/actavet.2021.20078
14.
FletcherJ, GillumD, MoritzR, SchwartzA. Demographic and salary trends of the 2020 biosafety workforce. Appl Biosaf, 2021; 26(3):164–174; doi: 10.1089/apb.20.0066
15.
GillumD, MendozaIA, CarusoRR, MarmoJ. The value of biosafety professionals. Appl Biosaf, 2014; 19(2):87–97; doi: 10.1177/153567601401900204
TamersSL, StreitJ, Pana‐CryanR, et al.Envisioning the future of work to safeguard the safety, health, and well‐being of the workforce: A perspective from the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Am J Ind Med, 2020; 63(12):1065–1084; doi: 10.1002/ajim.23183
MaxwelN, ConnolyL, Ní LaoireC.Informality, emotion and gendered career paths: The hidden to l of maternity leave on female academics and researchers. Gender Work & Organization, 2019; 26(2):140–157; doi: 10.1111/gwao.12306
25.
Ansari-ThomasZ. Sandwich caregiving and paid work: Differences by caregiving intensity and women’s life stage. Popul Res Policy Rev, 2024; 43(1); doi: 10.1007/s11113-023-09852-5
D’AngeloS, BloomI, NtaniG, et al.Why did middle-aged and older people retire since the first COVID-19 lockdown? A qualitative study of participants from the Health and Employment After Fifty study. BMC Public Health, 2024; 24(1):103; doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-17548-w
LeiderJP, YeagerVA, KirklandC, et al.The state of the U.S. public health workforce: Ongoing challenges and future directions. Annu Rev Public Health, 2023; 44(1):323–341; doi: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-071421-032830
BogaertK, CastrucciBC, GouldE, et al.Changes in the State Governmental public health. IST: 2024-12-20.
33.
SalsbergE, RichwineC, WestergaardS, et al.Estimation and comparison of current and future racial/ethnic representation in the U.S. health care workforce. JAMA Netw Open, 2021; 4(3):e213789; doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3789
34.
CoronadoF, BeckAJ, ShahG, et al.Understanding the dynamics of diversity in the public health workforce. J Public Health Manag Pract, 2020; 26(4):389–392; doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001075
35.
NIH cals for public comment on efforts to strengthen equity in the biomedical research IST 2024-12-20: 12:07:46 AM.
JudgeTA, PiccoloRF, PodsakoffNP, et al.The relationship between pay and job satisfaction: A meta-analysis of the literature. J Vocat Behav, 2010; 77(2):157–167; doi: 10.1016/j.jvb.2010.04.002
EmeryRJ, PatlovichSJ, KingKG, et al.Pivoting the biosafety program in response to COVID-19: Recommendations of key services and tasks to consider for the next pandemic. Appl Biosaf, 2022; 27(3):119–126; doi: 10.1089/apb.2022.0009
40.
WarmbrodKL, ColeJ, SharkeyCM, et al.Biosafety professionals: A role in the pandemic response team. Health Secur, 2021; 19(4):454–458; doi: 10.1089/hs.2021.0015
41.
Attal-JuncquaA, GetzJ, MorhardR, et al.Integrating safety, security, sustainability, and social responsibility principles into the U.S. bioeconomy. Msphere, 2024; 9(5):e00084–24.
