Public health initiatives improve and extend the lives of millions worldwide. Over the last century, public health professionals and organizations have eradicated smallpox on a global scale, established international nuclear test bans and environmental accords, founded an HIV/AIDS coalition in Africa, and extended the average American lifespan by 30 years.
Today, public health professionals continue to seek cures for cancers and diseases, including HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and diabetes. They also work to improve the overall health of communities through research, regulation, education and high-quality, accessible health care. Learn more about public health careers at the local, national, and international level.
The public health sector is in dire need of highly-qualified specialists. The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) predicts a shortage of 250,000 professionals (one-third of the existing public health workforce) by 2020. By these estimates, schools of public health will need to train three times the number of current enrollees to meet this need. Check out our degree guides to see how public health education can launch or focus your career.
Public health awareness is all about making the invisible visible. Whether you are a student, a parent, a professional or an amateur researcher, we work to bring the latest in news, insights and research straight to you.
Explore curated lists of the best public health resources online.