Find Your Place in Public Health |
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January 9, 2006
by Kathy A. Johnson
Healthcare Programs Columnist
In public health, you can help others improve their health in a multitude of ways such as education, research, administering health services, or developing public policy. Accordingly, public health jobs encompass many disciplines: biology, sociology, mathematics, medicine, and public policy, to name a few.
Where Are the Jobs?
The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) has identified nine areas it believes will offer the most career opportunities. Here are three of them:
Environmental health--studies the impact on our health caused by our surroundings, including the air we breathe and the water we drink. Career opportunities are available in local, state, and federal health departments or environmental agencies, as well as for industry/corporations.
Maternal and child health--provides information that promotes health of pregnant women and their unborn children. This sector also provides access to birth control and dispenses vaccinations to children. Specialists in maternal and child health work for community health centers, the government, school districts, and research institutions. Among other things, they provide primary care medical services and develop educational programs to prevent disease and promote health.
Epidemiology--investigates the causes of disease or injury, and the field tries to determine who is at risk, what the risks are, and how the disease or injury can be prevented. As an epidemiologist, you might work as a CDC investigator for the government or a researcher for a corporation.
Get Started With a Degree in Public Health
Public health schools offer a variety of degree options, hands-on training, research opportunities, internships, and professional contacts. Curriculum includes the study of epidemiology, biostatistics, health administration, environmental health sciences, and health and community behavior.
A career in public health offers many chances for personal and professional growth, as well as a way to give back to the community. With so many careers to choose from, there's sure to be a place for you in public health.
Sources:
Association of Schools of Public Health
Harvard School of Public Health
About the Author:
Kathy A. Johnson has written articles on health, fitness, and many other topics in her career as a freelance writer and editor. She lives in Florida, and is the features editor of Forum, a bimonthly publication of the national mothers group, Mothers & More.
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