Public health is all about keeping people healthy! Rather than focusing on individuals, people in this field devote their time to preventing disease and promoting good health in entire communities. They work to identify health risks, figure out ways to reduce those risks, and then research and deploy those methods to see if they actually work. Their work can range from trying to influence policy, to studying how to decrease accidents and injuries, to educating the public on healthy behaviors and environments. Throughout their days, public health professionals may interact with all kinds of people and organizations, including healthcare providers, government agencies, schools, and community groups. Overall, the goal of public health is to make sure that everyone is as healthy, happy, and safe as possible.
10 Popular Public Health Careers
Many career options fall under the umbrella of public health, with public health professionals working in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare facilities, and academic institutions. Below we take a look at 10 of the most popular career options available in public health.
1. Health educator: Health educators develop and implement programs and materials that teach people about healthy behaviors and disease prevention. They also monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these programs, making adjustments and improvements to support their goals.
2. Community health workers work with healthcare providers and social service organizations to advocate for the needs of a community. They also collect and report on community health data and discuss health concerns with members of target populations, including informing and connecting them with helpful services.
3. Epidemiologist: Epidemiologists investigate the spread and causes of diseases and injuries in populations. They also design and implement studies to prevent the spread of diseases.
4. Environmental health specialist: Environmental health specialists investigate and address environmental factors that affect human health, such as air and water pollution, food safety, and hazardous waste.
5. Biostatistician: Biostatisticians develop and apply statistical methods to analyze health data and help inform public health policies and practices.
6. Health policy analyst: Health policy analysts evaluate the impact of public health policies and programs and make recommendations to improve health outcomes. Their work can lead to new government policies as well as changes to existing ones.
7. Global health specialist: Global health specialists work to address health issues that affect populations across the world, including infectious diseases, nutrition, and maternal and child health.
8. Health communications specialist: Health communications specialists create and execute strategies for communicating health information to the public. They work closely with medical agencies, health organizations, and community groups.
9. Medical or health services manager: Health services managers oversee the care facilities and systems that are vital to community health, ensuring that they are efficient and effective in providing high-quality care to patients.
10. Public health administrator: A public health administrator oversees the day-to-day operations of a public health department or team. They are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to assess and improve the health of a community, as well as for managing the department's budget and staff.
Prepare for Your Future in Public Health
With options to learn online or on campus, South University’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health can equip you with the knowledge and skills to enter the public health field. For those who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing more advanced roles in public health or leadership positions, a master’s program can help to advance your skills.
At South University, our Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a common choice for individuals seeking advanced education in the public health field. (Check out this story from one of our Public Health graduates who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees online at South University.) Depending on your career goals and prior education, you could also consider programs such as a Master of Public Administration, Master of Healthcare Administration, or Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Administration.
To learn more about your options at South University, request information today and our Admissions team will reach out to discuss how your interests and our programs align!
