This summer, AIHA conducted a membership survey for the first time since 2020. Of the many surveys we distribute, the membership survey is the most comprehensive, providing insights into all aspects of our operations and yielding practical information we can use to continue to improve. This post discusses some interesting data received from the 2023 survey.

The survey was conducted online between June 15 and July 12. The 10,200 individuals invited to take the survey included both current AIHA members and nonmembers. A little more than 1,000 surveys were completed for an overall response rate of 10 percent and a margin of error of plus or minus three percent at the 95 percent confidence level. Current members accounted for 82 percent of responses. Roughly equal numbers of responses were received from members with fewer than 10 years in IH or OEHS (25 percent), 11 to 20 years (20 percent), and 21 to 30 years (22 percent). More than a quarter of respondents were consultants (26 percent), with strong representation from those in government or the military (19 percent), manufacturing (17 percent), and academia or education (14 percent). Most respondents identified as male (65 percent) and were based in the United States (82 percent).

Key findings include:

1. The vast majority of respondents are satisfied with their membership and are likely to renew and recommend membership to others. The survey revealed that 87 percent of respondents were either satisfied or extremely satisfied with their membership, and 93 percent were either likely or extremely likely to renew. In both cases, these data represent improvements over the 2020 survey.
2. More than two thirds (67 percent) of members who responded to the survey indicated that the main drivers of AIHA membership are accessing continuing education, certifications, and other professional development opportunities. Other drivers include staying up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the profession (56 percent), being affiliated with an organization that represents the work of OEHS professionals (52 percent), and accessing the latest research (43 percent).
3. When engaging with AIHA, members' main goal is to stay current on industry trends and research. Three fifths (63 percent) of respondents indicated they stay current by reading The Synergist and the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. Other common goals cited by respondents are accessing information or resources that help them do their jobs better (58 percent), earning certification maintenance points (57 percent), and finding training or education (55 percent).
4. AIHA provides a large number of highly valued member benefits, including JOEH (95 percent either satisfied or extremely satisfied), AIHA's books and other references (92 percent), and The Synergist (91 percent).
5. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting effect on OEHS professionals' work. Nearly two respondents in five (38 percent) indicate that their roles have expanded to include more responsibilities, while 26 percent say that employees at their organization are more aware of the OEHS professional's role, and 24 percent say their organization's leadership has put more emphasis on OEHS.
6. Many nonmember respondents recognize the value of AIHA, with 39 percent indicating they are likely or extremely likely to join or rejoin.

While the survey results are overwhelmingly positive, they also identify areas AIHA needs to work on. It's clear that those who are new to the profession need more education, training, resources, and leadership opportunities. Among respondents who are early career professionals, only 15 percent indicate they receive all the resources they need versus 42 percent of advanced professionals. Complicating matters is that nearly 30 percent of respondents who are early career professionals aren't sure how to engage with AIHA. These individuals need meaningful opportunities that fit their goals and schedules.

The 2023 member survey results provide validation that AIHA is on the right path and ideas for improvement in select areas. These findings will guide our efforts on behalf of the profession for years to come.