Academic Advising Center

Public health is defined as the science of protecting the safety and improving the health of communities through education, policy making and research for disease and injury prevention. Public Health Professionals are individuals who work to protect and promote community health. These professions range from engaging in community health research, educating and promoting health lifestyles and establishing health standards. As a public health professional, you will be pursuing an education and training experience that will allow you to perform a combination of these ten essential services:

1. Monitor the health status of a community to identify potential problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and hazards in the community.
3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues, particularly the underserved and those at risk.
4. Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems.
5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to needed personal health services and ensure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
8. Ensure a competent public health and personal health care workforce.
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
10. Research new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.