Public Health

Public Health aims to promote health, prevent disease, prolong life and improve quality of life through organized efforts of society. Focusing on the health and wellbeing of populations, Public Health complements medicine’s concern for individuals with diseases. Through activities ranging from basic research, to frontline efforts such as vaccination programs, promotion of healthy lifestyles and environments, disease control, and leadership on health policy formation, Public Health issues and outcomes touch the lives of people throughout the world. Public Health is an interdisciplinary field drawing on the natural and social sciences as well as the humanities. One of the most important themes in Public Health is the disparities in health observed in different groups, for example related to economic resources and race/ethnicity, which is a focus in this curriculum.

Public Health, B.A. Description

Public Health is the interdisciplinary study of health challenges, exposures, disease, risk, and intervention at the population level. The B.A. in Public Health is designed to provide students with a broad foundation in the principles and practice of public health, integrating perspectives from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Students gain an understanding of how social, behavioral, environmental, and structural factors influence health, and develop skills to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based approaches to health promotion and disease prevention.

Focusing on the health and well-being of populations, the B.A. complements medicine’s focus on the individual by preparing students to address complex public health challenges through organized efforts of society. Coursework and experiential learning opportunities emphasize critical thinking, community engagement, cultural humility, and communication skills that prepare graduates to work effectively with diverse populations. Students learn to synthesize and communicate public health information in oral and written formats for varied audiences, preparing them to become leaders in improving health equity and population well-being.

The B.A. in Public Health is particularly suited for students interested in the social, cultural, and policy dimensions of health, as well as those planning careers in public health practice, communitybased organizations, health communication, health policy, and related fields. Graduates may pursue roles in non-profit organizations, public agencies, or international health, or continue on to advanced degrees in public health, law, social work, or other related disciplines.

At no other time has the field of Public Health been more relevant or the need for a skilled public health workforce more urgent. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed longstanding inequities rooted in structural racism and chronic underinvestment in public health infrastructure, underscoring the importance of building systems that are comprehensive, sustainable, and equitable. As the world navigates climate-related health threats, reemerging infectious diseases, and persistent barriers to preventive care, public health provides the foundation for protecting and promoting the health of all communities.
 

Public Health, B.S. Description

Public Health is the interdisciplinary study of health challenges, exposures, disease, risk and intervention at the population level. The B.S. in Public Health is designed to impart a basic understanding of Public Health built on a foundation of population health, biology, epidemiology, and biostatistics, and to provide Public Health majors with knowledge of public health principles. The program develops students’ skills in performing and designing public health research, outreach, and promotion with an emphasis on community engagement and the intersections between the biological and social determinants of disease and illness. Students interested in a health professional career will be advised to take the pre-medical emphasis track.

At no other time has the field of Public Health been more relevant and the need for a strong public health workforce more expedient. The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare not only longstanding inequities based in structural racism, but the effects of persistent underfunding and dismantling of the US public health system. It has also informed calls to reimagine public health infrastructure to better serve our diverse and multicultural society. As the world continues to deal with challenges related to new SARs Cov2 variants, reemerging and adaptive pathogens linked to warming climates, and inadequate systems for preventive measures (e.g., vaccine distribution, clear and consistent multi-lingual messaging), public health promises to provide the foundation for comprehensive, sustainable, and equitable systems.

A B.S. in Public Health will prepare students for occupations in data management, public health practice, clinical and behavioral practice and research, non-profit leadership, as well as other professional roles that require graduate education. Projected growth for occupations in clinical and or graduate/professional areas of Public Health in California from 2020-2030 is 12%, compared to 8.4% projected growth for California’s total labor market. Approximately 1 in 20 jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree in California are relevant to a Public Health B.S.

Public Health, B.A. Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the major in Public Health students will be able to:

1. Explain the concept, history, philosophy, and value of population and public health.
2. Recognize the structures and functions of public health systems and policies.
3. Discuss biological, behavioral, social, environmental, and structural determinants of health.
4. Locate, interpret, and use quantitative and qualitative data and methods to understand patterns and causation of health and disease.
5. Apply fundamental prevention and/or health promotion concepts, approaches, and processes using evidence-based methods.
6. Synthesize and communicate public health information through a variety of media—in oral and written formats—to diverse audiences.

Public Health, B.S. Program Learning Outcomes

1. Apply core concepts of public health to articulate the biological and social determinants of population health, and to understand the critical role that dynamic intersections between these factors play in influencing the distribution of health-related outcomes.
2. Assess the health conditions of populations through an ecological approach that emphasizes biological determinants of health, as evidenced by proficiency in the natural science aspects of public health.
3. Understand and apply basic quantitative and qualitative concepts, methods, and tools of evidencebased public health to analyze and explain public health problems.
4. Locate, use, evaluate, and synthesize public health information effectively.
5. Communicate public health information effectively and persuasively to diverse audiences and outlets.
6. Work efficiently and ethically to address public health problems and community needs both independently and in multidisciplinary settings.

Programs

• Public Health, B.A.
• Public Health, B.S.
• Public Health, Pre-Med Emphasis, B.S.

• Interdisciplinary Public Health Minor