Medicine

Public Health

The mission of public health is to "fulfill society's interest in assuring conditions in which people can be healthy."

Public health carries out its mission through organized, interdisciplinary efforts that address the physical, mental and environmental health concerns of communities and populations at risk for disease and injury. Its mission is achieved through the application of health promotion and disease prevention technologies and interventions designed to improve and enhance quality of life.

• Monitor health status to identify community health problems
• Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community
• Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues
• Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems
• Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts
• Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety
• Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable
• Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce
• Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services
• Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems

• epidemiological and health services research
• community needs assessment
• environmental and occupational health
• health policy
• health promotion
• administration of public health programs

Public Health individuals work for state and federal government agencies, health departments, private industry and research industries.

General college preparation is recommended. To enter a university or college program, you should complete three courses in math including algebra I, algebra II and geometry, or a higher level math course for which algebra II is a prerequisite; three science courses including one biological science, one physical science and one lab course; four English units and two social studies units, including one in U.S. History; and two years of a second language.

Individuals should have at least a baccalaureate degree, and a masters or doctoral degree for more advanced research positions. Studies cover statistical methods, data management, demographics and other related areas.

Colorado schools that offer degrees and/or training

Professional associations that support this field