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7 Surprising Ways to Use Your Public Health Degree

Put your on-campus or online public health degree to work in these seven unexpected ways.

Public health is everywhere. From the air we breathe to the places we work, public health keeps us safe from sickness and injury—and public health professionals, many of whom hold a public health degree, are working diligently behind the scenes to help us live longer, healthier lives.

If you’re interested in careers in public health, you’ll need a BS in Public Health, a Master of Public Health (MPH), or a PhD in Public Health degree. Whether you pursue it on campus or online, a public health degree can qualify you for a variety of different public health initiatives, many of which might surprise you.

7 Surprising Ways to Use Your Public Health Degree

While certainly important, public health isn’t all about epidemiology (the study of disease). We’ve rounded up seven unexpected ways you can put your on-campus or online public health degree to work.

  • Anti-bullying
    Children and adolescents bullied in school—and, surprisingly, their bullies—often develop a set of physical symptoms. Because of this, bullying is increasingly being viewed as a public health issue.1 Public health professionals are working to combat this issue by educating health providers and the public on recognizing and preventing bullying.
  • Road safety
    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), seat belts can reduce fatalities by up to 50%.2 A good-quality helmet can reduce severe head injury by almost 70%.2 Those statistics owe much to public health professionals. From cars and trucks to motorcycles and bikes, public health professionals have led the way to keep Americans safe on the road through legislation and campaigns promoting the use of seat belts, air bags, and helmets. They’ve also worked to promote greater awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving.
  • Clean air
    Air pollution comes in many forms, from car exhaust to secondhand smoke. From pushing for stronger industrial air pollution legislation in the halls of Congress to promoting nonsmoking policies in and outside public buildings, public health professionals are leading the charge to keep the air we breathe cleaner.
  • Clean water
    Thanks to public health professionals, we can feel confident that the water from our faucets is safe for our daily needs, such as drinking, bathing, and brushing our teeth. 
  • Workplace safety
    While we don’t typically think about it, public health is a big part of the workplace. From monitoring the impact and use of harsh chemicals on the job to injury-preventing ergonomics, public health professionals work to ensure employees are safe and healthy in the workplace.
  • Natural disasters
    When natural disasters strike, public health professionals are mobilized to keep populations around the world safe from communicable diseases, contaminated water, foodborne illnesses, and much more. By acting quickly and coordinating with government agencies and aid organizations, public health professionals keep those impacted by natural disasters safe from health issues that often arise after hurricanes, earthquakes, and more.
  • Domestic violence
    WHO has designated domestic violence, which affects more than one-third of women worldwide, as “a global health problem of epic proportions.”3 Public health professionals, many of whom hold a public health degree, are working to eradicate violence against women in the U.S. and abroad through legislation and public awareness.

Public health degree—online or on campus?

If the above careers in public health interest you, you may be ready to pursue a public health degree. But should you enroll in a public health degree at an accredited online university or on campus at a traditional brick-and-mortar institution?

When researching public health degree programs, it’s important to be realistic about your nonacademic obligations. Many students juggling work and family commitments find that an online public health degree program at a university meets their needs, as it enables them to study on their own schedule, without the need to travel to a campus.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering online degrees in public health at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.

1Source: www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/08/bullying-public-health-issue_n_4241468.html
2Source: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/277370/WHO-NMH-NVI-18.20-eng.pdf?ua=1
3Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org

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