Public Health
What is Public Health?
Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play.
While a doctor treats people who are sick, those of us working in public health try to prevent people from getting sick or injured in the first place. We also promote wellness by encouraging healthy behaviors.
From conducting scientific research to educating about health, people in the field of public health work to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy. That can mean vaccinating children and adults to prevent the spread of disease. Or educating people about the risks of alcohol and tobacco. Public health sets safety standards to protect workers and develops school nutrition programs to ensure kids have access to healthy food.
Public health works to track disease outbreaks, prevent injuries and shed light on why some of us are more likely to suffer from poor health than others. The many facets of public health include speaking out for laws that promote smoke-free indoor air and seatbelts, spreading the word about ways to stay healthy and giving science-based solutions to problems.
Public health saves money, improves our quality of life, helps children thrive and reduces human suffering.
Related Career Titles
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AIDS Educator |
Health Marketing Coordinator |
Related Major Skills
| Ability to teach / train | Explaining ideas clearly |
| Writing and presenting | Decision making |
| Organization | Planning |
| Dealing with parents or guardians | Lesson planning |
| Summarizing ideas | Detailed oriented |
| Flexibility | Team player |
| Creativity | Computer skills |
Job & Internship Search Links
- Handshake -- UNCW's Online Job & Career Portal
- Job Search Resources
- APHA Career Website
- Public Health Jobs
- Health Jobs Start Here
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Carolinas Health Care System
- Exercise Jobs
- Global Health Career Resources
- Fellowships & Internships in Public Health
- Mission Health (Asheville, NC)
Career Planning Links
- Candid Career Videos
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Careers in Health Care Consulting
- Careers in Aging
- O*NET OnLine
- NC Tower
- Department of Health and Human Services Career Information
- Public Health Online
- Master of Public Health Graduate Programs
- UNCW’s Gerontology & Public Health Combined Program
