Public health practitioners focus on serving communities by preventing disease outbreaks and improving community well-being. They also educate the public about health risks. Given the need for greater health promotion among global communities, there are many career opportunities in public health.
If you’re exploring jobs in this fast-growing industry, here are some opportunities you should definitely consider:
1. Medical Director
This role makes you responsible for the daily operations of a large medical facility including staff and programs. Similarly, public health administrators manage and oversee hospitals and identify areas within the administration that need improvement. You may also need to employ preventive measures that reduce the transmission of illness in the facility.
2. Epidemiologist
Your job is to investigate and track the origins and spread of diseases in the general population. You might work in a laboratory or a hospital and often perform research to understand the pattern of diseases better. If you want to learn how to design an epidemiological study and analyze biostatistical data, you can go for a masters degree.
3. Public Health Veterinarian
These veterinarians focus on how people are affected by illnesses and diseases in animals. They help to prevent infections between humans and animals. ou can work in government agencies and hospitals to protect human health and prevent injury. This is one of the career opportunities in public health.
4. Public Health Lawyer
As a public health lawyer, your knowledge and guidance can protect and improve the health of the public. You can help to create sound policies. Similarly, you can advocate in court for people who’ve been hurt by pharmaceutical companies, poor public health practices, exposure to harmful environmental factors, etc.
5. Public Health Journalist
If you have a background in writing or communications, public health journalism may be a good fit for you. Your job will involve translating the latest public health research into understandable prose for the general public. It’s an interesting job despite the challenges that come with it.
6. HIV Specialist
As a specialist, part of your roles includes the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV. Having an MPH degree provides you with unique insight into social and behavioural determinants of health as well as public health communication. This will make you a more well-rounded practitioner who is better equipped to effect change. This is one of the career opportunities in public health.