No matter how uneducated someone is, it’s common sense that a healthy environment boosts productivity while contributing to a satisfied and healthy society. Whether you give it a name or not, being concerned about the hygiene around you is proof that man was designed with a sense of public health awareness (being concerned about the health of himself and that of others). No wonder this very important human instinct has been nurtured over the years, throughout human evolution – now, it’s part of the vast knowledge you can obtain in an institution of excellence, and the future is bright. Yes, we’re talking about being a public health professional by pursuing a relevant college degree.
Read on to learn more about this significant profession that forms an essential pillar of societal well-being.
Who is a Public Health Professional?
Public health practitioners are people devoted to preserving and promoting people’s and community’s health. This effort is accomplished by encouraging healthy lifestyles, conducting illness and injury prevention research, and responding to infectious diseases such as Ebola, cholera, flu, or even the Covid-19 Virus.
You can become a public health professional through a post-secondary certificate. Many universities and colleges are offering different levels of the program, including a bachelor’s in Public Health, a Master’s in Public Health (MPH), or a doctorate in public health or a related concentration. However, a bachelor’s is the bare minimum for some public health professions. Some common public health certifications to pursue include:
- Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) – For those interested in health education
- Certified in Public Health (CPH) – Most widely requested by employers.
- Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) – Eligibility requires academic and experience credentials. You can find an MPH online program if you’re engaged professionally but still want to enhance your skills and experience.
- Certified Public Health Administrator (CPHA) – For those interested in administrative work in the public health niche
- Certified Emergency Response Coordinator (CERC) – For those interested and experienced in emergency preparedness
- Certified Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (or CPAPHS) – For those interested in building community partnerships through various initiatives centered on physical activities
Once you’re certified as a public health professional, you can work in various professions. Below are common positions public health workers hold within health organizations:
- Community Health Worker (CHW)
- Research Assistant
- Disaster Preparedness Coordinator
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Environmental Health Specialist
- Public Health Educator
These are just a few careers you can join once certified as a public health professional. Public health professionals can also take other meaningful advanced roles, especially after acquiring a master’s degree. These include:
- Epidemiologist
- Disaster and Emergency Specialist
- Public Health Director
- Biostatistician
- Sanitarian
Evaluating the Public Health Profession
If you want to work in public health, you probably have a strong desire to serve people. You desire a profession that will have an impact. You wish to encourage healthy living and well-being in your neighborhood or among a broader audience. However, before you go into this career, you may be wondering what the benefits of working in this industry are. “Why is public health important?” you may wonder.
The answer is simple: public health enables people to work productively at a community level to solve health challenges that face them now while mitigating those anticipated in the future. This way, it promotes healthy living and prevents the spread of diseases, thus leveraging society’s economic and social status. Remember, a sick society is an unproductive one.
Bottom Line
When you seek a degree in public health, you are not just investing in your own future but also in the future of those you serve. A career in public health will allow you to have a deep and meaningful influence, whether you choose to work for the World Health Organization (WHO) or in a local organization. So, don’t be shy to go for it and be of value to yourself and society.
