To better understand community health issues, it’s good to first understand exactly what is meant by community health. A community is simply a group of people tied by geography, employment, social group, or other commonality, and health refers to the strength and well-being of that group. Unfortunately, there are many things that can threaten the stability of communities, including:
- Public health concerns
- Housing problems
- Environmental concerns
- Resource gaps for underserved populations (such as the homeless and others living in poverty)
Social workers play a key role in community health. As licensed professionals, they assist and advocate for individuals and groups to help build stable, functional communities.
Community Health Challenges Social Workers Are Tackling Now
Social workers may help support a range of community health issues or focus on a specific issue or population. These are just some examples of community health issues a social worker may focus on during their social work career:
Eating Disorders: An estimated 28.8 million Americans will struggle with an eating disorder during their lifetime.1 There are different kinds of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa (eating too little), bulimia nervosa (bingeing and purging), and body dysmorphic disorder. Clinical social workers who work with those struggling with eating disorders may lead programs in eating disorder clinics, work with patients and assist with diagnosis, or help families find counseling and other resources.
Homelessness: Many communities struggle with homelessness, which can cascade into myriad societal challenges, including safety concerns for the homeless population. Social workers work with homeless populations to help people find shelter, to keep children in school, and to arrange access to counseling and medical services.
Education/Truancy: Keeping kids in school is paramount to the health of any community. When children are learning, they are more likely to engage, grow, and participate in the overall betterment of themselves and their environment. School social workers create programs that keep kids engaged and fight truancy. School social workers may focus on children who are most at risk of missing school due to homelessness, drug abuse, or mental health challenges.
Substance Abuse: The Department of Health and Human Services reported in 2023 that 48.5 million survey respondents aged 12 or older met criteria for being diagnosed with a substance use disorder during the past year, which is 17.1% of the population.2 Clinical social workers develop and implement programs to help those struggling with substance abuse, including drug and alcohol addiction. Social workers may lead programs for individuals, families, and groups.
Food Insecurity: Many communities across the country, especially those in urban areas, have been designated as “food deserts,” meaning that the people who live there have no or limited access to fresh and healthy food. Food deserts and food insecurity can lead to mental and physical health concerns, especially in growing children and adolescents. Social workers work with community leaders to create programs that help assuage these issues, bringing both food and nutritional information to at-risk populations.
Healthcare/Disease: Social workers were instrumental in helping at-risk communities during the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1990s, and their role in supporting medical professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic was no less great. Healthcare social workers help individuals and families find resources that save lives, including vaccination sites and personal protective equipment.
Violence and Trauma: Social workers work with first responders to help victims of crime, violence, and other traumas. Trauma social workers work with victims who are vulnerable to physical and mental health struggles, including suicide. Through individual and group programs, these social workers can help victims rebuild their resilience and confidence.
Military Service: Active-duty service members, veterans, and their families deal with a range of issues that are specific to those who serve in the military. Children of service members may relocate often. Spouses manage stress and anxiety when their partner is deployed. And service members themselves may encounter a range of mental health concerns, such as PTSD, and the difficulties of transitioning to civilian life after service. Specialized military social workers support military communities with programs and resources that help families and service members persevere and thrive.
Earning Your Master of Social Work at Walden University
If you are seeking a meaningful career helping others, a social work role may be right for you. To become a licensed social worker, you must earn a Master of Social Work (MSW). An MSW curriculum prepares social workers to drive meaningful change for struggling populations, boosting community health and supporting those who need it most.
There are many types of social workers, and the Walden University online Master of Social Work (MSW) program lets you choose a focus area that prepares you to work with the population that interests you most. Walden’s online MSW program offers five focus areas: Addictions, Child and Family, Healthcare, Military, and Trauma.
Walden’s online master’s degree in social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). As a student, you will complete 900 hours of fieldwork in a social services agency, interacting with clients under the supervision of a professional social worker.
If you are ready to join Walden’s engaged and motivated community of social work professionals, explore the online MSW program today.
Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering a Master of Social Work degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
1Source: https://hsph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Social-Economic-Cost-of-Eating-Disorders-in-US.pdf
2Source: www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt47096/2023-nsduh-companion-report.pdf
Accreditation
Walden University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation. Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Note on Licensure
The Walden University Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as licensed social workers in many states. However, the requirements for licensure as a social worker vary greatly from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of social work has its own academic requirements and issues its own license to practice as a social worker in that state. Additionally, students should be advised that the Walden MSW program is not designed or intended to prepare graduates for licensure as a school social worker; however, graduates might be eligible for licensure as a school social worker in their particular state of residence.
While Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for social work licensure or certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization, or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.
Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.