Abstract
BACKGROUND: Public health professionals affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) play a critical role in responding to public health emergencies. They have endured substantial strain due to the escalation of such emergencies in recent years, which may predispose them to burnout and reduce their quality of life. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of burnout and quality of life among CDC public health professionals, and to explore their relationship. METHODS: The study was conducted using the CMBI and SF-12v2 scale with 449 CDC public health professionals in Shanghai, China. Regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with burnout and quality of life. A structural equation model (SEM) was constructed to examine their interrelationship. Additionally, tertiary coding based on Grounded theory was used to extract the main elements from open-ended responses. RESULTS: Overall, 59.7% of participants experienced burnout. Work unit, age, and years required for promotion were associated factors (p<0.05). Municipal CDC professionals had lower burnout risk than regional staff (OR=0.585). Individuals aged 30-39 years had a higher risk than those aged 50-59 years (OR=2.245), while those promoted in <1 year (OR=0.180) or in 4-5 years (OR=0.359) had lower risks compared with those promoted in >5 years. The physical component summary (PCS=65.0) was higher than the mental component summary (MCS=62.5). Work unit, department, high competitive pressure, and burnout were common factors associated with PCS and MCS (p<0.05). SEM showed that burnout was negatively associated with MCS (β=-0.81, p<0.001), and MCS was positively associated with PCS (β=0.76, p<0.001). The qualitative analysis, focusing on key components, identified 15 open codes, which were grouped into 4 axial codes (personal physical and mental health, family economy and livelihood, work content and intensity, and remuneration and benefits), and further synthesized into 2 selective codes (quality of life and professional status). CONCLUSIONS: CDC public health professionals had high burnout rates and suboptimal quality of life. Burnout negatively affected MCS and MCS positively affected PCS. In order to mitigate burnout and enhance quality of life, the CDC needs to provide resources and support to public health professionals through a variety of focused initiatives, which will eventually result in increased productivity and caliber of public health work. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-24590-3.