Three reasons study Public Health

 #1. 
Graduate with greater career prospects and a competitive edge in the job market

There has never been a better time to study public health. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of disease prevention and control, as public health becomes an increasingly significant focus for government plans worldwide. 

A Public Health degree could open a range of employment opportunities, including: 

• Public Health educator (patient navigator, tobacco quitline coach/smoking cessation specialist/diabetes/other chronic diseases)
• Health economist 
• Environmental health specialist  
• Climate change and health specialist 
• Community development officer (eg. women’s and children’s heath, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health)  
• Biostatistician, data analyst 
• Public policy and strategy consultant  
• Public health nurse 
• Urban planner 
• Public health research officer  
• Epidemiologist/data analyst.

 #2. 
Choose from a range of professional pathways and specialties 

Professional variety and advancement are other great reasons to consider public health studies. As a wide-ranging interdisciplinary study, public health offers the versatility to work across different sectors, offering almost limitless opportunities for professional specialisation.

Potential employers include:  

• World Health Organization and United Nations 
• Government departments (e.g health in policy, surveillance, health promotion) 
• Drug and alcohol services  
• Environmental Health 
• Research and higher education settings  
• Community organisations (e.g Heart Foundation and Cancer Council)

With topics including epidemiology, economics, health promotion, biostatistics, Indigenous studies, environmental change and leadership, the Flinders program uses current events as a “teaching lab” to help students understand the broader concepts of Public Health and its critical role in policy, population, empowerment, and cooperation for the greater good.

 #3. 
Positively impact local or global health 

One of the most rewarding reasons students are drawn to a career in public health is the potential to implement positive change.

Public health professionals are at the forefront of research, practice, and service in nonprofits, community organizations, higher education, government, private industry, and health care.

Advocate to improve health in local communities or have a worldwide impact by guiding public policy and contributing to international health initiatives.