What is Public Health?
Public health is a field dedicated to protecting and improving the health of people and communities. It aims to reduce disparities in health care and promote equality in terms of accessibility and quality of care.
Broadly speaking, public health is concerned with the physical, psychological, and social well-being of entire populations. Different public health initiatives can focus on populations from local neighborhoods to global regions.
Some public health initiatives, such as vaccinations, family planning, and obesity education, have had a tremendous impact on promoting healthy populations. Unlike clinical professionals, whose primary focus is the treatment of sick individuals, public health professionals attempt to get ahead of health problems through advocating for policies and initiatives that promote healthy communities.
Public health officials will work to implement educational programs and initiatives, recommend public policy measures, and conduct disease research.
Pursuing a Public Health Degree
Although it is possible to secure a public health job with a bachelor’s degree, many high-level opportunities require a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.
A master’s in public health prepares those working in the field of public health to deliver professional services which address a variety health issues, all while maintaining an understanding of several cultural settings and backgrounds.
Online MPH programs, like the one offered through The Chicago School, make it possible for individuals to obtain a postgraduate public health degree completely virtually.
5 Public Health Jobs
Because public health is a broad field spanning a variety of concentrations (environmental health, disease prevention, health informatics, global health, ethics, and behavioral and cultural issues) there is no shortage of job opportunities for public health graduates, regardless of the area of study you choose to focus on.
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Community Health Worker
A community health worker serves as an intermediary between a community and the healthcare, government, and local social service systems. The job of a community health worker is to expedite access to healthcare services and improve the overall quality and competence of service delivery.
Community health workers work in all types of settings – rural, urban, and metropolitan. Most importantly, these public health workers help to determine work and services that fit into the cultural landscape and needs of the community they serve.
They provide information and support to members of the community to help them make better life choices and connect them with proper healthcare options. They also gather data and discuss health concerns with specific populations.
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Health Information Analyst
Healthcare information analysts collect and interpret data from different sources such as electronic medical records, billing claims, and survey forms. They then use this information to help organizations improve their quality of care, cut costs, and deliver a better patient experience.
The rise of big data and the need for individuals to draw insights and create practical, data-driven solutions from large random data sets have created a high demand for health information analysts in various organizations.
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Social Worker
Social workers deal with social injustices and barriers to their client’s overall well-being. Social workers’ responsibilities include interacting with many populations, including people dealing with disabilities, individuals seeking to adopt a child, and people struggling with addictions.
Depending on their area of specialization, job title, and location, a social worker become involved in legislative processes that can lead to community-based social policies.
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Public Health Project Manager
Public health project managers develop and oversee the implementation of public health projects that promote healthier communities. Public health project managers are tasked with managing staff and assigning duties, evaluating project progress, and fine-tuning processes to increase efficiency and documentation of project activities.
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Wellness Manager
A wellness manager develops health and wellness programs for communities or corporate organizations. They are responsible for developing, implementing, and directing health and safety programs using their knowledge of current health standards, safety protocols, and wellness principles. Wellness managers also determine training and educational goals to promote overall wellness.
The Chicago School offers a Master of Public Health program that integrates theory, scientific research, professional practice, and innovation. Learn about our Masters in Public Health program here or fill out the form below to request more information.