“Everything you wanted to know about public health but were afraid to ask” October 17, 2014 Center for Premedical and Health Profession Studies University of Delaware

Mia A. Papas, PhD Director, Minor in Public Health

What is public health? Public Health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals

Public health is personal. Public health professionals focus on preventing disease and injury by promoting healthy lifestyles. They implement educational programs, develop policies, administer services, conduct research, and regulate health systems to achieve these goals.

Its reach is global. The public health field confronts global health issues, such as improving access to health care, controlling infectious disease, and reducing environmental hazards, violence, substance abuse, and injury. It spans many disciplines and is regularly spotlighted in popular culture and media.spotlighted in popular culture and media.

The impact is measurable. In the past century, public health initiatives have improved lives worldwide, including increasing life expectancy by almost 30 years.The development and application of population-based prevention programs will continue improving health over the next decades.The development and application of population-based prevention programs will continue improving health over the next decades.

Study Public Health The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) “nationally recognized accrediting body for both schools of public health and public health programs”

Public Health EpidemiologyBiostatistics Social and Behavioral Science Health Policy and Management Environmental Health

Concentrations Community Health Maternal and Child Health Health Communication and Promotion Minority Health and Health Disparities Global Health Nutrition

Graduate Degrees: Alphabet Soup MPH MSPH MS MHS MHA PhD ScD DrPH Professional degrees vs. Academic degrees

Professional Degree Certification in Public Health Exam Biannual recertification Dual Degrees MD/MPH JD/MPH DPT/MPH RD/MPH PharmD/MPH DMD/MPH MSN; MSW; MBA; MA

Graduate School GRE Scores GPA Career achievement Professional experience Clarity of career goals Admissions decisions are based on an overall assessment of the applicants to successfully complete the degree area Each program or track within a given department may set additional requirements for admission

Get Experience in the Field Working part-time or full-time at a hospital or health clinic. Volunteering for a non-profit direct services organization, such as a health clinic or a local chapter of the American Red Cross. Working for a non-profit organization that is directly involved in public health advocacy and policy. Working or volunteering for a local health department.

Opportunities at UD Minor in Public Health

REQUIRED CORE COURSES – 9 credit hours: HLPR/UAPP211 Intro to Public Health (fall/spring) HLPR/UAPP233 Intro to Global Health (fall/spring) HLPR/UAPP222 Intro to Epidemiology* (spring; Prereq stat class: see below) ELECTIVE COURSES – 9 credit hours Program Development – 3 credits Social Systems and Policy – 3 credits Leadership – 3 credits Public Health Minor

Opportunities at UD Minor in Public Health Join the Public Health Club

Facebook and StUDent Central

Opportunities at UD Minor in Public Health Join the Public Health Club Conduct a Summer Research Project

Opportunities at UD Minor in Public Health Join the Public Health Club Conduct a Summer Research Project Find a National or International Internship

Internships at Public Health Schools Opening Doors Program at Drexel University: Diverse-Populations-to-Health-Disparities-Research/5230/ Columbia Summer Public Health Scholars: diversity/programs/college-and-post-baccalaureate-students/summer- publ Johns Hopkins

Internships in Departments of Public Health New York City Texas html Delaware Director’s office at

Internships at Hospitals Public Health Professionals Epidemiologists or Research Core Nosocomial Infections Group

Christiana Care and Nemours Health Center Christiana Care Value Institute ( Public Health Programs Center for community health School based health Hospital Acquired Infections Nemours Health and Prevention Services

International Internships USAID mechanisms/student-internships Global Health Corps World Health Organization

Non-profit organizations American Heart Association Public Health Management Corporation alist.org/

Government Organizations National Institutes of Health Center for Disease Control

For Profit Companies

Job Growth in Public Health Demand for public health professionals continues to rise in response to: bio-terrorism, potential pandemics, HIV and AIDS, and air and water quality issues. Rising insurance costs and increased awareness of public health and wellness have generated corporate and government support for prevention and education programs in areas such as diet, diabetes, obesity, tobacco use and workplace safety, among others. Employment opportunities in many public health career fields are expected to grow in the coming decade

Public Health in the News

Contact Information: Room 013 Carpenter Sports Building Tuesdays 1 – 3 pm Thank you!