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Appendix B: Examples of Health ProfessionsPublic Health Professional Public
health professionals plan, implement, and evaluate interventions to identify
those at risk from a specified health problem and try to prevent such
health problems. Specialists work in public health practice, mental
health, public health/community dentistry, public health nursing, preventive
medicine, aging/gerontology, and maternal and child health. Although
public health professionals often work for State or Federal public health
departments, Federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and branches of the armed forces,
employ public health workers of all specialties. The World Health
Organization uses public health personnel to monitor and maintain global
health, and almost every nation has individual public health policy makers.
Private industrial companies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and
research institutions may also hire public health specialists to ensure
health safety standards. Voluntary health agencies (VHAs), such
as the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and Easter
Seals, often employ public health professionals to run programs and assume
administrative roles. VHAs educate the public on disease prevention
and organize community programs for disease victims and their families.
Additionally, universities and schools employ public health professionals
to teach at the undergraduate and graduate level. Public health
specialists may work in laboratories, offices, schools, and nursing homes
in the United States or overseas. Work schedules vary widely.
Although many colleges and universities award a bachelor's degree in public health, most advanced positions require a master's degree. There are currently 30 schools in the United States that are recognized and accredited by the Association of Schools of Public Health. Not all schools offer programs in every specialty, but most will have relevant course work. Graduate students must take core courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, health administration, environmental health, and behavioral sciences before narrowing their focus to one specialty. Admission into schools of public health is competitive, and a strong applicant will normally have some employment experience in the field. Applicants with degrees in another field such as law, medicine, business, or education may be more attractive to admissions committees. Typically, a master's program in public health takes up to 2 years to complete and some graduates may then pursue training at the doctoral level. *Public health professionals' salaries vary by specialty, experience, geographic location, and level of education. The average salary among all professionals is $73,000. Health care today emphasizes preventive medicine. Thus, epidemiological, nutritional, and educational data offered by public health specialists will continue to be in demand. As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age and the Nation's population shifts, more public health officials trained in the area of gerontology (care of the aged) and long-term care will be needed. Environmental and occupational health also continue to provide diverse job opportunities. *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition. Copyrighted by: The National Health Council, October 1998; reproduced with permission by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Further reproduction prohibited without permission of copyright holder, www.nationalhealthcouncil.org. |
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More Examples
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