Public health is a crucial part of our everyday lives, yet it’s experiencing a shrinking workforce, underfunding, and eroded public trust. This must change for everyone’s health and safety.
Melissa (Moose) Alperin, Ed.D., M.P.H., MCHES
Chair, American Public Health Association Executive Board; Associate Professor of Practice, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
It’s a sunny day in May, and the temperature is an appropriate 75°. A teenage boy puts on his helmet and bikes to the community pool for swim practice. Afterward, he meets his family at their favorite restaurant. As he enters, the most recent food inspection report, with a grade of A, is clearly displayed.
Across town, a multi-generational family is at the local pharmacy to get an RSV vaccine for grandma. While there, they pick up prenatal vitamins for mom and anticavity fluoride toothpaste for the kids. As they leave, they notice that the local health department has set up a station to help with the installation of child car seats.
These vignettes demonstrate public health working quietly behind the scenes to ensure that individuals of all ages are able to live, work, and play safely in their communities.
What is public health?
Many associate public health with vaccines and monitoring for diseases and health conditions, but it is much broader than this. Public health ensures the safety of our communities through emergency preparedness and response; works to prevent premature death from intentional and unintentional causes; promotes on-the-job health and safety; and makes sure our water is safe to drink, our food is safe to eat, our air is safe to breathe, and our swimming pools are safe to swim in. It educates the public on health-related topics, researches diseases and health conditions, advocates for legislation that encourages health, promotes access to healthcare for all, and so much more to protect our communities.
Although public health touches almost every aspect of our communities, it has seen decades of underfunding. Additionally, the workforce is shrinking at a time when a skilled and diverse public health workforce is needed more than ever — and many in our workforce lack appropriate training in public health. This can consist of formal bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree programs, or professional development through on-the-job training, Public Health Training Centers, programs like Public Health AmeriCorps, and organizations like the American Public Health Association (APHA).
The American Public Health Association
With a membership of over 25,000, APHA serves an essential role in supporting the public health workforce through networking, information sharing, and coordinated advocacy on behalf of the field. APHA provides a wealth of professional development and education opportunities, including peer mentoring and volunteer leadership roles. It also offers scholarships and tools to help obtain a job. Importantly, APHA and others are working to rebuild public trust in science, which is the bedrock of public health practices.
For individuals who are beginning to think about their career, or are looking to transition to a new career, consider public health and its focus on populations and preventing disease and injury. For those working in public health who want to learn more, organizations like APHA provide numerous educational opportunities. For those individuals who want to ensure they live, work, and play in healthy communities, be a supporter of public health and advocate to your municipal, state, and/or federal representatives.
