bachelor of public health

bachelor of public health

The Importance of Public Health Education

1. Introduction

In the zeal of social service, there has developed the belief that any public health activity is good, and that more of it is better. Too few there are who pause and weigh the relative value of the activity of today against that of yesterday or tomorrow. This evaluation of the past, present, and future in the light that experience has shed upon health and disease is public health statesmanship. It is the need of leadership who can interpret the knowledge and experience of the present and apply it with discrimination and tolerance forcible for better health in the future.

Confusion is inevitable when those who are working for a common end have never laid down definite objectives. Improvements in public health are so obvious that everyone wishes to have a share in promoting them. Apathy in public health effort is so recent a memory, and misery in disease conditions so vivid in the minds of this generation, that there is a rush to action. Public health work today is sacrificing much that was of value, in order that it may be of greater value tomorrow. This unselfish sacrifice of the present for the future is a dictum of public health.

During the past ten years, considerable emphasis has been given to the importance of public health education throughout the country. This emphasis has been given not only in the medical schools or the various governmental health agencies, but also in agencies outside the health professions, for example, the Health in Education, et al. Public health education has had a most significant impetus from the recent provisions of the Sheppard-Towner Act. But back of the present enthusiasm for public health education, there is considerable confusion of aim, a wide diversity of opinion as to the means to be employed, and a lack of convincing evidence as to the results to be obtained.

2. Understanding Public Health

Preventive health is one of the important things in public health. It is certain to reduce the rate of disease and also can save money that would be spent on treating the disease if it occurs. It is easier to solve something that has not yet happened, just like closing a hole before the rain comes. Primary prevention is the step to avoid the disease from the beginning. Health education is one example. People who understand the causes of disease will change their behavior and lifestyle. They will do something to avoid the causes so they will not be affected by the disease. Health education can identify behaviors that have a high risk of causing disease, and people can change those behaviors with something better to prevent the disease. Secondary prevention is an early step to treat people who have contracted symptoms or a disease. It is done to stop the progression of the disease. Tertiary prevention is to limit the advanced effects of the disease.

Public health is a broad concept which includes the concern for health in the community, nation, and global society. It is also concerned with preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health. These principles still apply to persistent problems and the arrangement of new problems. There are many benefits for people to understand about public health. People can get information about health and disease in the community, so they can prevent the worst things from happening, which affect health, disease, and society conditions. It can also change people’s behavior to maintain health and a cleaner environment. They will take action if they already understand the dangers of disease and a bad environment. Public health is also a tool to help the government make decisions to solve health problems and could give good results for society.

3. Benefits of Pursuing a Bachelor of Public Health

There are many benefits to pursuing a degree in public health, and the opportunity to gain a BPH is among the top. The Bachelor of Public Health or BPH degree is a program that is great for students who are sure that they want to study public health at a professional or administrative level. For those who are unaware, to get into an MPH program, the health professional should have a clinical degree, such as a nurse who wants to be a nurse epidemiologist. However, the best route for an individual wanting to focus mainly on public health and seek an administrative position in the future is the BPH. This program provides a thorough grounding in the basic core knowledge of public health. Students are able to explore various learning opportunities in and outside of the classroom. On-campus or online BPH degree programs will offer information about the different types of public health careers available and whether a BPH is a requirement. The undergraduate degree can also provide several opportunities for field work or internships. These are crucial for gaining experience in the public health job market and finding out what you really will enjoy doing. These internships can also be great networking opportunities for future employment. Great field experience mixed with a BPH can qualify an individual for a job in a new and growing area of public health titled a Community Health Advisor. This career involves working with specific communities to discover their health-related needs and helping them implement new health strategies to better the community’s well-being. An advisor in this line of work can work for government public health departments or private organizations.

4. Curriculum Overview

Previously, the William Paterson University MPH programs only focused on community health sciences. The programs follow a carefully sequenced curriculum of core courses and limited electives. Core courses will be taken by all students sequentially in the first year. Beginning in the fall of 2007, the programs will offer concentrations in the three core disciplines of health administration, environmental & occupational health, and epidemiology. Students choosing a concentration will take a specialization practicum of either 3 or 6 credits in the area. This change preserves the carefully sequenced curriculum of core courses and adds focus in the area of student interest. The change was first offered to students in the fall of 2006, so some students may still be following the curriculum of the single generic MPH degree. Students entering the university the MPH curriculum beginning in the fall of 2006 follow a curriculum of 42 credits. The core curriculum of 21 credits is designed to impart a basic understanding of public health problems and solutions utilizing the multidisciplinary and interprofessional approach. A 3-credit internship is also required of all students to provide field training.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, public health education is a crucial field with huge benefits for all involved. This is reflected through its ability to protect the health of the public, and a variety of individuals, families, and communities. Many changes are occurring in today’s society and these changes are likely to have many public health implications. Whether these changes are to the environment in which we live, the genetic and biological breakthroughs occurring every day, or the new health threats that are exhibited from other countries, it is clear that public health education will be the first and last line of defense in dealing with these changes, and have the capabilities to provide preventive measures that are cost effective. Potential students, no matter what field of study they are coming from, would do well to get a bird’s eye view of the field, to both understand the overwhelming significance and implication of public health education, and to potentially get involved through volunteer work with populations who are underserved, and in need of basic health care. It also provides an increase in job opportunity for those already within the public health field. As the field of public health education is constantly evolving in response to the needs of different health populations; there are many job opportunities. This has allowed many individuals to consider getting into the field given the employment opportunities. Last, one of the best reasons is the ability to help others and to make a difference. Public health education has the potential to change individuals’ lives and communities for the better. Without it, there would have been a never-ending upward spiral of health costs that would have disallowed many from getting essential health care. Case in point, United States health care costs have skyrocketed since the recent September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It has been estimated that there would be costs for fighting and protecting against potential bioterrorism that would range in the billions. With public health education, there is the anticipation for a brighter future and a light at the end of the tunnel. This is something that can certainly change the landscape of the health future for the better.