What is public health and why is it essential?
Public health professionals, many with a Master’s in Public Health, work tirelessly around the world to guarantee clean water, nutritious food, clear air and access to various services that promote our wellbeing – such as vaccines, doctors, parks and public parks. They ensure we have access to clean water, improved sanitation facilities and access to better healthcare options for everyone.
What exactly is public health, and why is it so vital? If you’re interested in entering this rapidly developing field, we have all of the answers – from its definition to jobs available within it.
What is public health?
The term “health” often has medical connotations, making the definition of public-health somewhat confusing. Contrary to popular belief, public health does not encompass medical practice in hospitals or doctor’s offices.
Public health, on the other hand, strives to enhance and protect communities’ health and wellbeing. It also prioritizes prevention for large populations. Public health professionals work towards keeping communities healthy by offering education on preventive measures, disaster relief solutions, clean water sources, as well as access to healthcare services.
What is the Role of Public Health?
These roles are often forgotten until an emergency, such as a hurricane, strikes. Public health officials, many of whom possess degrees in public health, work tirelessly every day to keep people safe and healthy both locally and worldwide by preventing injury and disease.
Public health initiatives such as vaccinations, family planning and motor vehicle safety laws have all contributed to an increase in life expectancies across America of nearly 30 years*. *
What are the essential requirements for a degree in public health?
Public health degrees can be earned either online or on-campus and provide students with an extensive foundation in topics that impact population health and healthcare systems, such as environmental health, disease prevention and ethics; plus behavioral and cultural impacts.
What are the potential career options in public health if you pursue it?
Although it is possible to gain some experience in public health, many careers require a Master of Public Health (MPH). This degree is essential for advancement and entry into this profession.
Your public health degree can be applied at any degree level, whether you hold a bachelor’s or master’s. The career possibilities in this field are as vast as its practitioners.
What are the Best Public Health Jobs?
Public health graduates can pursue a career in public health across many settings, not just hospitals.
- Local, state and national government
- Health departments and agencies at both national and local levels
- Non-profit organizations
- Private foundations that focus on healthcare
- Universities and colleges
- Organizations founded upon faith
- Insurance companies Insurance companies will always have a role.
What are some common jobs in public health?
Public health jobs are too numerous to list, but they encompass a variety of fields such as epidemiology and environmental health as well as health services administration.
These are just a few of the many public health careers you can pursue with a degree in public health:
- Health workers in the community
- Researchers for diseases
- Environmental health specialist
- Epidemiologist
- Global health professional
- Health officer
- Advisor on health policy
Specialist in occupational safety and health
- Analyst in public health
- Public health educator
Emergency response coordinator
- Information officer for public health
- Coordinator for public policy
- Analyst in research.
Additional Resource:
https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/health/resource/what-is-public-health-and-why-is-it-important
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/health-sciences/about-us/school-blog/why-is-public-health-important