Public health is all about protecting people through education, policy-making, community programs, and research projects about the possible spread, prevention, and control of diseases.
All public health-related endeavors are undertaken by public health professionals. Therefore, public health professionals can never be left out when it comes to the health and safety of the communities.
The 2019 pandemic has also made the healthcare sector aware that public health professionals are indispensable for ensuring the world’s health. And why should they not be?
Public health professionals keep the communities informed about issues like the spread and prevention of disease, unhealthy behavior like smoking, hazards of unsafe water, and whatnot. They also prepare communities and individuals to fight public health calamities, whether they are limited in spread and scope or are as serious as the Covd-19 pandemic.
A degree in public health is required to work as a public health professional. It prepares you to work alongside policymakers and professionals to develop and implement public health programs like those providing healthcare facilities to marginalized communities.
Apart from giving you a chance to work for the betterment of the public at large, some more benefits of a degree in public health are listed below.
1. Availability of online degrees and courses
If you have a bachelor’s degree, you are the right fit for an MPH (Master’s in Public Health) degree. Prior experience in the related field is always a plus but not mandatory for applying for a higher education program.
The benefit of choosing a degree in public health is that you can opt for an online degree program instead of applying for leave or quitting your job.
An mph online degree helps you study without forcing you to compromise your responsibilities at work or in the house. Plus, an MPH degree at a prestigious university, such as Lamar University Texas, offers multiple start dates, meaning you can plan and enroll after considering your busy schedule.
On the contrary, if you enroll in any other healthcare degree, you might not get the option of online education, as not all universities have shifted completely online as yet.
2. Better community health and economic development
Increasing the number of qualified public health professionals means better community health programs can be developed and implemented. It also means an improvement in community health status.
It is generally seen that healthier societies provide a ripe ground for economic development. Research has shown a direct connection between health and economic development for decades.
Better public health also means the government can channel its healthcare spending to other urgent areas of national development.
Healthier populations contribute to a robust local economy by promoting business. Healthier workers are more likely to show up at work, demonstrate better mental and physical state, and reduce the healthcare cost of their organizations.
As healthcare costs reduce, more can be spent on the area’s economic activity. Looking through this prism, public health professionals, with their hard work and dedication, and improved public health endeavors, also contribute to the economic development of an area.
3. Positive global Impact
One of the strongest reasons to pursue an MPH degree is that this degree has a global orientation. This is possible due to the interconnectedness of the global population. The 2019 pandemic is a first-hand example of this interrelation of the world populace. The virus did not take long to spread from one area to another as a result of the quick movement of individuals from one area to another. Similarly, when the vaccination was developed, the manufacturers shared it with the rest of the world without any hiccups.
Healthcare plans and policies developed in one part of the world are often implemented in other parts, sometimes without any modification. As a result, these plans and programs result in global impact. With a professional public health qualification, you can become part of this change-making process whose impact often transcends regional boundaries.
With the right professional qualification, you can work alongside greats who strive to create health equity for a larger number of people.
4. Vast career opportunities
Public health is a diverse field, which means there is something for everyone getting into its fold. Once you have the required public health-related qualification, you can opt for one of the many public health areas as a career stream.
From public health policy development, health promotion, healthcare policy analysis, and healthcare administration to Public Health Education, the sky is the limit for a competent public health professional.
5. Wide-ranging work areas
Apart from the various roles you can choose, you can also decide where to work. As a public health professional, you are not limited to working in hospitals only; you can work in schools, private companies, public institutions, Non-Profit organizations, and international organizations.
The choice of work area depends on what you want to achieve in your professional life. If you want to experience variety in work, you can consider working in an NGO. Most NGOs have a small setup, which means each employee wears multiple hats during the day. Hence, you can take on more responsibilities and polish your skills in more areas than with a desk job in a private company.
6. Growing field
The need for public health professionals is not going to die down any time soon. In fact, the requirement for qualified and competent public health professionals is expected to increase in the coming decade. For instance, the employment outlook from 2021 to 2031 is 12% for health education specialists and 26% for Epidemiologists and Biostatisticians. This is just a glimpse of the career prospects for potential public health professionals.
The positive increase in the career outlook means people with the right qualification and skills in public health will find it easier to find a job. Simultaneously, those who already have a job are expected to continue working.
7. Enhanced job security, satisfaction, and productivity
If you are unsure how long you will work in a position, the feeling of living on a bedrock of depression never leaves. The constant stress never lets you feel satisfied with your work. Your family time might always be spent searching for jobs and updating your resume. Resultantly, it impacts your performance and productivity at work. However, considering the demand for public health professionals, your job seems pretty secure.
A job in public health providing Job satisfaction positively affects the workers’ productivity. It increases satisfaction and reduces stress and the fear of losing employment suddenly. As a result, employees demonstrate dedication towards their work and workplace.
Conclusion
Working in a field that offers better salary, job security and stability, vast career opportunities, and a chance to make a global impact is the goal of everyone seeking employment. You can get all this with the help of a degree in public health. So, if you have been thinking about a career in public health, it is the right time to make a move and get the required qualification.