PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

Overview

Public health professionals seek to assure conditions in which people can be healthy through education, the promotion of health and the prevention of disease, illness and injury. Public health professionals focus their activities on populations rather than individuals. They serve local, national and international communities.

Public health professionals’ work is organized and interdisciplinary in its approach. People working in public health come from varying educational fields, including specialists in research, science, demographics, education, the environment, medicine, and the law. Public health is highly varied, but activities are mainly focused on the following areas: health promotion, surveillance, risk, outbreaks, research, disease prevention, epidemics, communication, monitoring, and analysis.

Details

Potential Employers
Local, state or federal health departments
Non-profit organizations, such as the American Cancer Society or the Red Cross
Hospitals
Community health centers
Pharmaceutical companies
Health insurance companies
Job Outlook
While there are no specific Bureau of Labor Statistics for the public health field, it is considered a growing one due to complex health issues, improving access to healthcare, controlling infectious disease, and reducing environmental hazards.

Aptitudes
Ability to learn the principles and science of public health
Good verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work with a variety of people
Analytical skills and ability to make decisions based on observation and data
Ability to supervise others and plan and implement programs
Commitment to social justice

Education

Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Public Health program must possess a minimum of a 4-year baccalaureate degree in any discipline. Students of public health come from a variety of backgrounds. Coursework that would be helpful include classes in biology, mathematics, behavioral sciences, health education, global health, sociology psychology, education or anthropology. All schools of public health require competence in effective communication.

UNMC offers a doctoral program in three areas:

Environmental Health, Occupational Health, and Toxicology
Health Promotion Research
Health Services Research, Administration, and Policy
Learning opportunities are offered to public health graduate students through UNMC’s network of community-based collaborations in Omaha, Nebraska, the United States, and globally.

Students who graduate from a Council on Education for Public Health accredited program or school are eligible to take the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) Certification in Public Health exam. More information can be found at: www.publichealthexam.org

Programs in Nebraska
University of Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha (Master’s, Doctorate)

Related / Links

Professional Associations
American Public Health Association
Public Health Association of Nebraska
Career information adapted in part from What is Public Health, on the internet at www.whatispublichealth.org

 

Filed under: Uncategorized

Tags: Health Promotion, Public Health

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