Public Health

What is public health?

Public health is a field that’s dedicated to improving our health and well-being. Public health experts assess the needs of particular groups, or populations, rather than the needs of any one person. This makes public health different from healthcare, which involves diagnosing and treating individuals. Such a big-picture approach allows public health efforts to benefit lots of people at once — including you and those you love.

For example, data might show that swimming pool accidents are a leading cause of injury or death for children in a certain community. In response, public health experts may help community leaders develop a plan to offer free swim classes. They may also craft educational materials on water safety for parents. Such changes can help you and your family in ways that complement advice from your pediatrician.

Public health experts don’t focus on one specific family or child. Instead, they zoom out to understand the health of entire populations. Over time, across many communities, this can have a big impact.

Who works in public health?

Public health professionals, also sometimes called public health workers or experts, include:

• Epidemiologists. These “disease detectives” study patterns of health and disease among specific groups.
• Health education specialists. These health educators teach people about their bodies and help them access healthcare services.
• Public health physicians. These doctors specialize in public health. They work at community health centers and often take on leadership roles.
• Community health workers. These trusted liaisons get to know a specific community’s needs and connect them with health services.
• Biostatisticians. These experts collect, organize and interpret health-related data. Their work helps policymakers and others make important decisions.
• Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians. These experts ensure that workplaces meet safety requirements. Their inspections help keep workers safe.
• Restaurant inspectors. These professionals ensure restaurants follow health and safety standards. Their work allows you to enjoy your meal without getting sick afterward.

What are public health issues?

Public health issues are aspects of the world around us that affect how long we live and/or our quality of life. Public health issues don’t affect everyone equally. That’s why experts typically study groups of people, defined by things like zip code, race or age. They want to understand what issues a certain group faces and how to make things better.

In an ideal world, we’d have health equity. This means everyone has fair and equal access to the resources they need to support their health. We’re not there yet, but public health as a field is dedicated to moving us as far as possible in that direction.

Public health issues change over time. This is because new health risks can emerge. Plus, advances in medicine make some diseases less of a concern than they were in the past. Public health issues also vary by country.

In the U.S., public health experts are currently developing strategies to:

• Reduce the impact of climate change on our health
• Protect us from environmental hazards like toxins in the air, water and soil
• Prevent injuries and deaths from things like gun violence, car accidents and unsafe home or workplace conditions
• Prepare for future epidemics or pandemics
• Address systemic racism that puts some groups at a higher risk for physical and mental health issues
• Improve our access to healthcare services, including preventive care and timely treatments
• Improve our access to the resources we need to support our health, like nutritious foods and places to exercise

These are just some examples. Public health is a vast, far-reaching field. It addresses long-standing issues while also responding to emerging needs.

What is the public health system?

In the U.S., the public health system is a large network of public health agencies at all levels of government. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lead public health efforts at the national level. There are also departments of public health at local, state, tribal and territorial levels that serve people in those areas.

When it comes to public health, it truly takes a village to keep all the wheels turning. You might be familiar with your local health department or know about the CDC. But you might not know that these agencies partner with many other groups and organizations. For example, governmental health agencies might team up with:

• Other government agencies, like the U.S. Department of Transportation or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Churches
• Nonprofits
• Hospitals and healthcare systems
• Community volunteers

This collaboration is vital for building a world where everyone gets the health services they need.

What services does the public health system provide?

The public health system provides a broad range of services to try and give everyone a fair chance at being as healthy as possible. Here are some examples of what public health experts do in communities across the country:

• Collect and analyze health data. This is called public health surveillance. Experts look for patterns to understand a community’s needs. For example, they identify who’s most at risk for certain health conditions.
• Respond to health emergencies. When there’s an infectious disease outbreak or other concern, public health experts take the lead. They use timely data to recommend next steps.
• Educate the public. The world of health and disease is complex. But public health experts help translate the science into terms we can all understand.
• Set and enforce safety standards. Public health experts inspect spaces that need to follow certain health or safety rules. They make sure everything is up to the proper standards.
• Develop policies that foster health equity. Many nonmedical things affect our health every day. These are called the social determinants of health. Public health experts study how these factors affect certain groups and create policies to give everyone a fair chance.

What is a Master of Public Health degree?

A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is a graduate-level degree that provides training in these areas:

• Epidemiology
• Biostatistics
• Environmental health sciences
• Health services administration
• Social and behavioral sciences

MPH programs typically involve classroom learning as well as a capstone project and internship.

What is a public health major?

Some colleges offer a public health major for undergraduates to help them prepare for a career in public health. Pursuing this major allows you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) degree. After earning your BSPH, you may choose to earn your MPH or seek a job in the field.