6 Leadership Opportunities in Public Health
Public health leadership involves the ability of inspiring, influencing, and achieving community goals.
Public health leadership is vital to lift local communities and whole global populations. Public health leaders are able to make positive changes in the lives and communities of large numbers by encouraging health education, disease prevention, and healthcare education.
Strong public health policies are key to inclusive public-health success. They support accessibility, affordability and efficiency as well as equity, social justice, and effectiveness.
Public Health Leadership Competencies & Curriculum
Commonly, Master’s in Public Health program focus on fostering leadership capacity in future professionals in public health.
- Population accuracy
- Communication
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
- Strategy and systems thinking
- Personal growth
Policy Development
Graduate-level courses on public health include advanced topics in law, policy and program planning. They also cover social and behavioral healthcare and applied practical learning.
MPH Fast Fact: Flexible programs for MPH allow students to complete their degree completely online. Students have the option of attending full- or part time. Goodwin is a career-focused college that values convenience. MPH students can choose between three compelling concentrations: community health or global health.
- Master’s students in Public Health graduate are prepared for leadership roles in many public health careers.
- Public Health Leadership Careers That Serve Communities and Populations
- You will find six rewarding leadership positions in public health that require an MPH degree, as well as high-salary potential.
Biostatistician
- Professional Responsibilities. Data analysts analyze clinical trials and medical procedures to find out the most relevant information for public health programs.
- Possible Pay Rate: In 2021 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, (BLS), determined the median annual income for biostatisticians at $95,570.
Disaster and Emergency Specialist
- Professional Responsibilities. Disaster and Emergency Specialists gather data from the frontlines of epidemics, natural catastrophes, terrorist attacks and other emergencies.
- Potential Pay rate:In 2021 the BLS stated that the median annual wage of disaster and emergency professionals was $76,730.
Environmental Policy Analyst
- Responsibilities as a Professional: The Environmental Policy Analysts collect and analyze environmental data to guide government officials regarding global environmental policy issues and solutions.
- Possible Pay Rate: In 2021, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that environmental policy analysts earned an average annual salary of $76,530.
Epidemiologist
- Professional Responsibilities. The role of an epidemiologist is to investigate the causes and effects of illness, injury, or other health problems. This includes identifying vulnerable populations, increasing prevention and control, and assessing their vulnerability. Epidemiologists help reduce the risk of public illness in the population through community education, environmental contamination research and public health policy.
- Possible Pay Rate: In 2021, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual salary for epidemiologists was $78,830.
Director of Public Health
- Responsibilities as a Professional: Public Health directors are responsible for managing facility, state, or nation-wide public services and programs. They have the goal to create budgets, ensure that federal laws and regulations are being followed, and hold hearings about public health issues — ultimately, improving the quality of life.
- Potential Pay rate: As of 2021 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics had established the median annual income for public health directors at $101,340.
Public Health Social Worker
- Professional Responsibilities Social workers in public health advocate for historically poor communities and help people access the right healthcare. Public health social worker also educates, engages, intervenes, and implements public health programs specific to a population’s needs.
- Potential Pay rate: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for social workers in public health was $74,000 as of 2021!
Additional Resource:
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-public-health/what-public-health
