Welcome to the
Department of Public Health

An Introduction

Public health draws on the talents of a variety of professional disciplines to collectively address the changing threats to the health of the community. This discipline acknowledges that health is much more than simply physical well-being or lack of illness, but it also emphasizes the emotional, spiritual, socioeconomic, and cultural determinants of health. Public health practitioners work with community leaders to problem-solve and to implement workable interventions and programs. The vision of public health is simply stated but inspiring: "Healthy People in Healthy Communities."

Public health practitioners use population-based approaches to prevent disease, injury, and disability and to improve the health of people and their communities. These approaches include: assessing health risks, providing education and encouraging healthier lifestyles, developing health policies to protect the community, and assuring that needed services are available. Notably, research indicates that public health action strategies have been responsible for increasing average life expectancy by 25 years over the past century. Additionally, it has been shown that 70% of premature deaths in the United States are preventable by attention to behavioral choices and environmental stressors. Public health practitioners and agencies also reach out to those high-risk individuals and groups who do not have access to primary care in order to assure that services are available when needed.

Featured Student

Lacreisha Ejike-King
PhD Student

Our Mission

The Department of Public Health fosters the development of pre-professional competencies of those with career interests in the disciplines of health, education, public health, or safety. The faculty is committed to research, scholarship, and creative work that results in superior teaching and in service to the community and to the professions.

Directional Statements of the Department of Public Health

Department By-Laws

Public Health Graduate Student Handbook