What constitutes public health and global health studies?
Recently, the Lancet suggested that global health can be thought of "as a notion (the current state of global health), an objective (a world of healthy people), or a mix of scholarship, research and practice." Further study in this area can contribute towards knowledge and skills that can be used in many aspects of public health practice. Public health studies may comprise education in a specific area, e.g. child and maternal health, or a broad range of subjects including statistics, ethics and development.
What are the types of subjects I might study?
Many public health courses will afford students flexibility to pursue subjects of interest within the realm of public health. This can range from subjects focusing on child maternal health to subjects focusing on conflict and disaster management. However, the majority of courses will require students to undertake foundation subjects in biostatistics and pubic health policy. Some MPH courses may have particular streams or concentrations which provide career-oriented subjects, e.g. in global health or policy and planning.
What are the different levels this can be studied at?
Public health or global health can be studied at many levels mentioned above - for example a PhD, masters, graduate diplomas, short courses and even free online lectures or public events! Often the level we choose to pursue will be dependent on many external factors (e.g. work, family, financial situation, other study commitments) and this may be more of an influence in your decision.
Where can I study?
There are many places and institutions where you can undertake public health studies. Please follow the link to read more about some of these institutions around Australia.
Who undertakes these studies?
Increasingly public health study is being pursued by more than only health professionals. Engineers, sociologists, logisticians, economists and lawyers may all choose to study public health for a variety of reasons. It is often embarked on out of a desire to equip oneself with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute in some capacity within the field of public health. Many students will undertake study to self-examine their reasons for being interested in this field and to question the importance of humanitarian contribution in global health.
Where can this study lead me to?
Depending on the type of study undertaken, public health education can be for self-interest and global awareness, or it may be undertaken as a pathway into policy, development or research. The broad range of career prospects from public health studies has increasingly led to career-oriented choices within many courses, allowing for the diversity of interests of students and professionals. Further study may lead to work being undertaken at a grassroots level, e.g. local NGOs, or at a global level, e.g. within the World Health Organisation.
What is a Masters of Public Health?
A Masters of Public Health (MPH) still remains one of the most widely recognised credentials in the public health sphere today. For those interested in ongoing leadership within public health, this masters program is designed for those aspiring to professional roles within national or international health institutions, NGOs or the private sector. Programs can take between 1 - 2 years to complete depending on the institution.
Examples
Flinders University - http://www.flinders.edu.au/future-students/mph.cfm
The Johns Hopkins University - http://www.jhsph.edu/
Oxford University - http://www.publichealth.ox.ac.uk/gradstu/globalhealth
Harvard University - http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/academics/master-of-public-health-program/index.html
More
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