Academic
offerings: Courses such
as Evidence-Based Public Health and Public Health & Social
Justice will bring into stark relief for students the role
the environment plays in population health. We use concrete
examples of how heavy metals in housing and soil, particulate
matter in the air, and contamination of potable water sources
affect the health of populations in St. Louis and around the
world. The social-justice course illuminates how marginalized
communities have less ability to change their environment
and therefore have less recourse to protect their health.
The evidence-based course explain that, in order to lead to
change in public policy, the links between health and the
environment must be driven by scientific evidence.
Experiential
learning: Three of our program's courses provide opportunities
for students to apply public-health knowledge in the community.
Access to health services, the environment's impact on population
health, education's relevance to health literacy and much
more will be explored by volunteering in local organizations
that seek to improve the health of the community.
Employment
opportunities: Health care is one of the most promising
sectors of the economy for those seeking employment. A growing
emphasis in the domestic arena and a retiring public-health
workforce will provide many opportunities for employment
in the public and private sectors. A study conducted in
2007 determined that by 2012, 50% of the state health agency
workers will be eligible to retire. Several studies have
indicated that there are not enough properly trained public
health officials to replace them.
Learn more about the Department of Community Health.
