The importance of public health has surged to the forefront of global consciousness. The past few years, in particular, have demonstrated the profound impact public health can have on societies. So as we stand at the crossroads of an unpredictable future, the need for dedicated and compassionate professionals in the field of public health has never been more pressing.
Public health is an interdisciplinary pursuit that merges science, policy, and advocacy to safeguard human well-being. If you are inclined toward healthcare, studying public health is your best bet. Wondering why? Well, the reasons to study public health are as diverse as the field itself. To give you a better idea, we have compiled a comprehensive list of factors why you should consider studying public health:
1. Learning From The Best
The field of public health is constantly evolving, requiring highly skilled educators to impart this expertise to future public health professionals. Moreover, public health teaching goes beyond the classroom. Since quality instructors have the exposure to engage in fieldwork and partnerships with various organizations, they provide valuable insights to students with their practical experiences. It enriches students’ understanding of the real-world implications of public health interventions and policies.
So no matter where you choose to study, in all likelihood, your classes will be conducted by faculty members who have the utmost grip on their respective subjects. In fact, you do not even need to attend physical classes for that, thanks to the Internet. From online masters in public health programs to online doctor of public health programs, you can study from the comfort of your home. Getting enrolled in online programs also means you can study with a flexible schedule. As a result, you can better perform other obligations without compromising on your studies.
2. Job security
There are a variety of things that can lead to the termination of an employee. Strangely enough, many of these factors have nothing to do with the worker’s performance. We have seen this happening in many industries, especially during the recession and other economic crises.
If your workplace guarantees you job security, you will continue to serve them for a certain period of time. It will not only lead to economic stability but also help you avoid spending sleepless nights over the thought of suddenly losing your job.
Studying public health means you are most likely to avail job security due to the industry’s phenomenal growth. Despite unprecedented progress in many walks of life, we are currently plunged into various health-related issues. Air pollution, bioterrorism, and pandemics, to name a few.
The healthcare sector is constantly expanding its horizon to cope with such challenges and, therefore, needs adequate human resources. For instance, the employment rate for health educators is all set to grow by 11% between 2018 to 2028. Not many occupations can catch up with this growth rate.
3. Freedom
When people graduate with a degree, they usually have to walk in a single direction to acquire a job. The lack of options forces them to settle for a career that is perhaps not their first preference. As a result, job satisfaction becomes a distant dream for them for the rest of their life. After earning a degree in public health, this is the last thing you will experience due to its diverse territory.
From biostatistics to communicable diseases, from environmental health to health policy and management, there are endless options at your disposal. You can easily pick an area you would like to serve the most. Moreover, you may work in numerous settings, such as government agencies, non-profit organizations, community-centric entities, etc.
4. Serving Others
We can go on and on talking about the worldly perks and privileges of studying public health. But, at the end of the day, this profession is all about serving others. Though everyone can give back to the community in their humble capacity, only those who pursue serving humanity as a career can get the chance to increase someone’s life expectancy, curtail the mortality rate of infants, stop the disease from going viral, etc. Had it not been for influential public health figures, the world would be far worse than it currently looks.
Having spent all your life in a developed country like America, you might not know that vaccine-preventable diseases account for more than 1.5 million deaths annually. A public health degree will empower you in several ways to make the world a better place for the coming generations.
5. Excessive Traveling
Working in a public health department, you will get to travel to diverse countries and cities, including rural and urban areas. The biggest advantage of traveling is that you will learn how a certain disease is perceived in a specific geographical location, which might aid you to unpack a whole new perspective.
Nearly all public health jobs will expose you to multiple cultures. But the following ones are particularly travel-based:
- Public health nutritionist: People living in rural areas lack proper parental care. Resultantly, infants are vulnerable to nutrition deficiencies. The American government is collaborating with public health nutritionists to spread awareness about eating habits in these places.
- Disaster Relief Specialist: Public health professionals specializing in disaster relief travel to areas affected by natural disasters, conflict, or other emergencies. They coordinate relief efforts and provide medical assistance to prevent disease outbreaks in crisis-affected regions.
- Public health nurse: The primary duty of a public health nurse involves conveying important information to people so they can avoid catching diseases. Generally, these professionals are entitled to work for the populations badly hit by contagions. Public health nurses also lend their services to people who are the victim of domestic violence. By its very nature, the job requires excessive traveling in rural whereabouts.
- Health program evaluator: Health program evaluators assess the effectiveness of several public health initiatives. They may travel to different project locations to collect data, conduct surveys, and analyze program outcomes.
Conclusion
So there you have it; the top reasons we highly recommended studying public health in 2023. The importance of public health has never been more evident. As you step into this exciting field, remember that your dedication and expertise will be the catalyst for a healthier, safer, and more sustainable world for generations to come.
