Why Is Public Health Important?
Public health professionals address some of the world’s most pressing health problems through prevention. This often involves improving the conditions in which people live, play, and work. Public health professionals can work at the community or population level and can create local and global impact. The focus of public health professionals is to promote health and prevent disease by attacking root causes. Public health professionals have a strong social justice focus aimed at promoting equity and reducing health disparities.
What You'll Study
Public Health graduates gain skills that are beneficial in a variety of careers, even outside of public health settings. Some of these in-demand skills include:
- Communication (health literacy, persuasive communication, cultural sensitivity and communication strategies for diverse populations)
- Writing (critical thinking, grant writing, conducting needs assessments and program evaluation)
- Research (data analysis, statistical methods in Public Health, biostatistics)
- Project Organization and Management (social marketing, program design, program implementation, targeted health programming)
What Can I Do with a Public Health Degree?
Undergraduate and graduate degrees in public health prepare students for careers in federal or local government agencies, universities, non-profit organizations, and private employers. Graduates may also establish careers in hospitals or health care provider settings. Public health careers involve participation in policy advocacy, health education, global disease prevention, research, and a multitude of other interdisciplinary roles. Common areas of professional interest among majors include behavioral and social science, biostatistics and epidemiology, health informatics, environmental health, global health, health policy and management, health promotion and communication, minority health and health disparities, and maternal and child health.
Top Employers in Public Health:
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- State and Local Public Health Departments
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Academia
- Hospitals and Medical Facilities
- Managed Care Organizations
- Corporate Sector
- Nonprofits
Why GU?
We are committed to the pursuit of knowledge and the promotion of the greater good.
Inspired by the Jesuit tradition of academic excellence and service to others, the Public Health Department at Gonzaga University is grounded in the values of health equity, compassion, social justice, and the inherent dignity of every individual. Our mission is to advance public health through education, service, and community engagement. We seek to expand public health knowledge and contribute to evidence-based solutions that improve the health and quality of life for communities locally, nationally, and globally.
We strive to create public health leaders who are dedicated to the well-being of diverse populations.
Our faculty and staff are committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative learning environment that prepares students to address the most pressing public health challenges of our time.
We are empowering students to make a positive impact on public health and create a more just and healthy world.
As an integral part of the School of Health Science and the broader Gonzaga University community, the Public Health Department is dedicated to nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of all individuals.
Program Questions?
Please contact: Robin Pickering
Professor and Chair, Public Health
(509) 313-5989
pickering@gonzaga.edu