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What is Public Health Management?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Public health management is a branch of the public health profession which involves the management of public health threats. People with degrees in this field can work as hospital administrators, heads of public health departments, public health consultants, and representatives of agencies which research and prevent disease. Many universities with schools of public health offer degrees in public health management to students who are interested in this field of study.

Public health is concerned with the health of populations as a whole, rather than specific care for individual patients, although many public health departments do provide individualized patient services. The goal of public health management is to identify and control threats to public health, and to create policy which supports public health and the development of healthy populations. Public health is an intersection of medicine, sociology, economics, and many other topics, and it can be challenging to balance public health needs with realities.

Students seeking a master's in public health management can normally have a bachelor's degree in any field.
Students seeking a master's in public health management can normally have a bachelor's degree in any field.

Some examples of topics in this field include: public education about health issues, preventative health care, health inspections, routine health screenings, diagnosis and treatment of disease, and rapid identification of emerging public health threats. People who work in public health management may be involved on the front lines of public health, and they can also be involved in public health research, studying topics of interest in public health ranging from access to sound nutrition to the emergence of new diseases.

Public health managers deal with issues such as health screenings and preventive care.
Public health managers deal with issues such as health screenings and preventive care.

Administrative skills are an important part of successfully working in the public health field. People with degrees in public health management have a high level of training in the science and the administration involved in public health. This broad set of skills allows them to work with the numerous parties concerned with public health, from doctors applying for funding from public health departments to researchers suggesting policy reforms to reduce the incidence of disease.

Many public health departments see individual patients, in addition to addressing general public health needs.
Many public health departments see individual patients, in addition to addressing general public health needs.

Careers in public health management are very diverse, varying from supervising rural clinics providing health care to underserved populations to advising world leaders about public health issues. Students who plan to work in any aspect of public health should plan on interning while they are in school, so that they can experience different aspects of the public health field and identify potential areas of interest. Such opportunities can also lay the groundwork for a thesis which will lead to a degree, and provide valuable work experience and sources for employment references which will increase employability after graduation.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

donbri5

People in the public health management field are usually the ones contacted by the CDC (center for Disease Control) whenever there is a potential threat as well.

They are also the people who generally coordinate an exercise drill for disaster preparedness for first responders in the event of a threat or major crisis.

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    • Students seeking a master's in public health management can normally have a bachelor's degree in any field.
      By: Ammentorp
      Students seeking a master's in public health management can normally have a bachelor's degree in any field.
    • Public health managers deal with issues such as health screenings and preventive care.
      By: Sanjay Deva
      Public health managers deal with issues such as health screenings and preventive care.
    • Many public health departments see individual patients, in addition to addressing general public health needs.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Many public health departments see individual patients, in addition to addressing general public health needs.
    • Health management officials may deal with policy concerns, such as cigarette smoking in public.
      By: Nomad_Soul
      Health management officials may deal with policy concerns, such as cigarette smoking in public.
    • Public health management includes educating people about healthy eating habits.
      By: Ljupco Smokovski
      Public health management includes educating people about healthy eating habits.
    • Ensuring children have access to proper health care falls under the responsibilities of public health management.
      By: Monkey Business
      Ensuring children have access to proper health care falls under the responsibilities of public health management.
    • Public health managers may work with doctors to identify health threats in a particular area.
      By: Alliance
      Public health managers may work with doctors to identify health threats in a particular area.
    • Dietitians often work with the public to educate them about dietary guidelines.
      By: photokanok_1984
      Dietitians often work with the public to educate them about dietary guidelines.