Public Health

A proactive medical approach that helps to improve the health of a community, by preventive medicine, health education, control of communicable diseases, application of sanitary measures, and monitoring of environmental hazards.

Public Health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. Public Health is a population-based education program that has become increasingly important in improving the health of our population and reducing skyrocketing health costs.

The Public Health track within the Integrative Physiology and Health Science major prepares students for careers focusing upon community-wide prevention and education programs; with a strong foundation in the health sciences, this curriculum includes the study of diseases, biostatistical modeling, population studies, and the history and current development of public health policy. Students have a wide variety of hands-on opportunities inside and outside of the classroom, including internships at an area hospital and nursing facility. Student can also explore a potential minor in Public Health, if interested in pairing this with another field of interest.

One of the community opportunities for students within the Public Health major, is Spartners. This is a program that targets (S)Partners for Heart Health. It’s designed to help 5th grade students sustain or improve nutrition and physical activity behaviors that support heart-health. This also provides the student with “hand’s on” community experience and training. To learn more about (S)Partners for Heart Health contact Dr. Robyn Anderson.

Many hands-on experiences exist for IPHS students to become involved with the elderly community population. By enrolling in IPHS 390—Senior Fitness, students can lead various exercise programs for older adults who live in the community. Opportunities include leading water aerobics exercises, land exercise or strength training.  

Career opportunities

Alma College students with a Public Health background have continued on to a variety of careers. Some have attended graduate school for a Master’s degree in Public Health or some go directly into the job market. Either way, Public Health is rewarding career choice. It also is a great minor to pair with a  variety of careers, including those in:

• Medicine
• Health Administration
• Public Policy
• Education
• Communication