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What can you do with a public health degree?
Public Health Degree Careers
When people hear “public health” their mind usually goes to a disease outbreak or something to do with hospitals. However, it is much more than that. Over the last few years, public health has become more important than ever. From recovering from a worldwide pandemic, to advocating for awareness in mental health, professionals in public health play a major role every day. But many people still don’t realize just how flexible a public health degree can be.
However, it is important to know the definition of public health before knowing what someone can do with a public health degree. In simple terms, public health is protecting people and improving the health of people.
“At its core, public health is about preventing problems before they happen, improving community well-being, and addressing the systems that shape health whether that’s education, housing, policy, or access to care.”
A public health degree can open doors to many different types of careers.
What can you do with a degree in public health?
RESEARCHER
Research in Public Health is essential because it can start an evidence based approach to preventing diseases, promoting wellness as well as extending life expectancy. Research can provide necessary data for organizations to develop more effective health policies. It can also prevent a disease from spreading as researchers can study how the disease spreads and identify risk factors associated with it. Epidemiology is very important in research, as epidemiologists study the “who, what, and where” of health and diseases. Some other jobs in research include biostatisticians, environmental health scientists, and health policy analysts.
EDUCATOR
Educating people on the importance of health is very important because it can raise awareness in individuals. People in health education can provide the information that can equip individuals to make informed decisions about their health, as well as preventing disease though behavioral changes, and can lessen the pressure on healthcare systems. In this career, professionals develop and implement programs that teach the public about nutrition, disease and healthier lifestyles. Health education specialists work in places such as schools, hospitals, workplaces or public health agencies. By helping individuals get the resources they need, it can promote long term health improvements.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
In the world of public health, community is very important. It shifts its focus from treatment of individuals to population level prevention, guaranteeing that health treatments or remedies are relevant, sustainable and adapted to the populations need.
A good example of a community would be a nonprofit. A nonprofit organization is a business operation for a charitable, education, or social cause rather than to make a profit. In terms of public health, it is designed to improve health around the community, can promote health equity, and address social factors or causes of health rather than generate profit for owners. A nonprofit can establish clinics, mobile units, and programs to help communities that might not have access to good healthcare. Some nonprofits offer screenings and vaccinations that might not be accessible in a specific community.
Where will your public health degree take you?
Dr. Byrant explains that “The key with a public health degree is to align your personal interests. Whether that is a love for data, community work, global health, policy, these passions will help guide which niche area you will pursue.” So if you are interested in helping people make better decisions, a health educator might be the career for you. If you are interested in learning more about diseases and trying to prevent them, being in research might be the career for you.
“This degree gives you a flexible foundation that truly grows with your interests and experiences over time.”
Adrienne Antley, author, is an intern in the CSU Marketing & Communication Office and is a double major in communication and public health.
Learn more about Public Health at Charleston Southern.
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