Public Health Job Description

With such a variety of public health jobs and degrees available, choosing your area of interest is an important step in your journey to becoming a public health professional. Here are some common specialties to consider:

Public Health Specialty	What You'll Do
Behavioral Science/Health Education	Help people achieve a healthy lifestyle by educating the public about health and safety issues.
Biostatistics	Use math and science to identify trends, make predictions and identify the causes of illness.
Environmental Health	Identify risks associated with waste management, air and water quality, housing, and more.
Epidemiology	Study social factors that contribute to the spread of disease. Find the source of an outbreak and come up with a strategy to contain it.
Health Services Administration/Management	Use your business skills to manage employees and budgets for health care establishments.
International/Global Health	Learn about public health issues associated with various cultures and geographies. Understand how globalization affects the spread of disease.
Maternal and Child Health	Promote the health of women and children. Educate women about issues related to birth-control, pregnancy and the care of young children.
Nutrition	Promote healthy eating and exercise as a means to prevent disease and maintain wellness.
Public Health Laboratory Practice	Work in the lab as a microbiologist, bacteriologist or biochemist. Conduct tests to identify health and safety risks.
Public Health Policy	Work to pass legislation that will keep people safe and healthy.

Public health professionals work in a variety of settings, including the following:

• Colleges and universities
• Community health centers
• Government agencies
• Health care consulting agencies
• Health insurance companies
• Hospitals
• Non-profit organizations
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Research firms
• State and local health departments

_{Source: WhatisPublicHealth.org}