The shortage of workers in many countries is a major obstacle to the systems of health care in their attempt to respond effectively to chronic diseases, avian influenza and other challenges, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization.

The U.S. is also affected by this shortage. The acute shortages occur in health professions such as medical technology and respiratory therapy. a sufficient number of these professionals are not available to deal with the regularity of the patient needs to be met.

Also worrisome is the threat of bioterrorism and the additional demands that such acts take place in a system already under pressure. In such case, laboratory technicians and respiratory therapists would be in great demand. Laboratory tests necessary to determine how victims are affected, and respiratory problems that have to be treated by qualified technicians.

The shortage of nurses have received much public attention recently. Depending on which professions and levels are included, allied health is as great or greater than the nurses. As in nursing, many candidates allied health programs are denied admission due to the shortage of teachers, training clinical sites and related resources.

Many students are attracted to a career in a health profession, but the cost of obtaining an education are becoming more of a barrier. Funding for state education is at its lowest level in 25 years, and support per student has declined significantly due to increased enrollment and inflation in the economy. The total tax revenue has declined as a percentage of the wealth of the state.

Another factor is the increase in expenditures for Medicaid programs, which continue to require a greater proportion of the total budget of each state.

As a way to address the situation, the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions is working with several other organizations to advance S. 473, the Alliance of Health Professions Reinvestment Act of 2005, HR 215, a companion bill. Presented at the Congress in 2005, this bill is designed to provide a remedy for the Allied occupational health problems. If nothing is done soon, the organization warns, there will be an alarming increase in adverse events affecting patients because of an inadequate supply of allied health caregivers.