Where You Might Fit the Future of Public Health?
Healthcare
Healthcare workers are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an increase of 2.6 million healthcare jobs Future of Public Health professionals between 2020 and 2030, with many public health professionals finding work as community health nurses or program administrators within this sector. Many Public Health practitioners strive to build connections that strengthen communities – similar to Robert Wood Johnson Foundations (RWJF) initiative called cross-sector align. RWJF believes in the integration of social and healthcare services, leading to sustainable progress for both community members as well as leaders within the field.
Advocacy
The pandemic revealed many issues regarding equity in patient care. Quality of care provided to COVID-19 patients was significantly impacted by racial and ethnic factors. Between 2020-2021, it became well-documented that inherent biases can have devastating outcomes. Public health advocates hope to continue carrying out essential research well into 2022. Whether as director of a non-profit, researcher in healthcare economics, manager at a community center or leader of a community health program–you have an opportunity to improve public health through advocacy work such as director or researcher at a non-profit organization, manager at a community center or leader of such efforts.
Policy Future of Public Health
Public health is put at risk when there is no plan or resource management in place. Some may even argue that the United States’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was inadequate. From changing masking regulations that caused citizens distress and damaged their trust in government to supply chain issues that could have been avoided with more deception, there were numerous failures. Public health policy writers coordinate priorities and keep initiatives on track, stress-testing for different scenarios. People with a background in public health can have an enormous impact on healthcare policy making and budget management; they even play a major role in litigation. These positions are available at all levels of government – federal, state or local.
Epidemiology
Epidemiologists are responsible for collecting data, computer modeling, research on injury and disease patterns, as well as other related activities. Public health scientists work in laboratories across many industries from pharmaceutical firms to global N.G.Os (not-for-profit organizations). They’re at the heart of Future of Public Health problem prevention. We hope technological advances in healthcare will allow epidemiologists to do research ahead of the next pandemic with confidence.
We must remain optimistic about the public’s future health, despite any legacy left to build by 2022. The U.S. GDP is higher than any major global economy and we now understand more about COVID-19’s potential viral evolution. Now is an opportunement to start a career that integrates multiple disciplines and makes a meaningful contribution to humanity.
Additional Resources:
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-public-health/
