How to Work in Public Health: Resources to Help You Get Started

Public health refers to efforts to prevent the spread of disease, maintain good health in a community, and enhance the quality of life of society as a whole as opposed to individual health care initiatives. It is a coordinated effort by many public agencies. Public health aims to protect and improve the health of populations by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease prevention, recommending policy changes, and educating the public about diseases, mental health, addictions, and other health issues.

It aims to prevent avoidable disease, injury, disability, and death and promote and maximize a healthy and sustainable environment for current and future generations. Unlike the clinical health care system, which focuses on treating individual cases of disease or illness after they have occurred, public health services promote the health of communities or populations so that people do not fall ill. 

Through education, vaccination, or screening, measures can target particular groups, such as by geographical location, age, ethnicity, sex, or large population level. Discover more about public health as a career path.

Public health defined 

Dr. Donald Acheson, who served as chief medical officer of the United Kingdom in the late 20th century, defined public health as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts of society." [1]. 

Public health aims to improve the well-being of individuals and communities by strengthening health services and reducing inequalities. Professionals in public health use education and research to promote healthy lifestyles. 

Besides researching diseases, these organizations develop treatment programs to counteract the spread of infectious diseases. The public health sector also aims to provide all citizens equal and quality health care.

Budget 2024: Stronger Public Health Care to Lift Up Every Generation

The federal government is delivering $200 billion CAD over 10 years to strengthen universal public health care for Canadians. In 2024 alone, provinces and territories will receive $52.1 billion CAD from the government [2].

Branches of public health 

Public health professionals often specialize in a single area of public health. For example, a health educator promotes healthy living habits in a community, and a community health worker helps people access medical and social services. A health policy researcher helps lawmakers create community health policies, and occupational health and safety specialists ensure workplaces meet proper health and safety standards.

When considering concentrations, consider your areas of interest and how they align with the expertise you need for various career paths. Understanding multiple public health departments and industries will also help narrow your choices. The following are some of the tracks available to aspiring public health professionals.

Community health

Community health workers commit to improving their communities' quality of life and health. Through outreach, they educate and engage the communities. Public health experts gather data and advocate for community needs through community health workers.

Epidemiology 

Epidemiologists strive to reduce the effects of diseases on communities through research, education, and advocacy for public policies. They collect information from large groups of people to analyze the data and find patterns that can give insight into what causes diseases to spread through interviews, fluid or blood samples, observations, and surveys.

Environmental health 

Environmental health examines various environmental factors and tries to determine their effects on the health of individuals and populations. It focuses on environmental risk factors in specific populations, such as smoke, water, and airborne pollutants.

Global health 

Also referred to as international health, global health focuses on serving communities in developing countries. While global health professionals address issues similar to those addressed in developed countries, the solutions must be unique due to a lack of resources. Nonprofit organizations like the World Health Organization and UNICEF are involved in global health, and government organizations also employ global health workers.

Behavioural science 

Mental and physical health services focus on people's daily habits, behaviours, and actions that can affect their well-being. Behavioural health providers educate communities on topics including nutrition, fitness, addiction prevention, avoiding sexually risky behaviours, and ensuring the elderly have access to prescription drugs.

Public health policy 

Public health policy workers strive to improve the health of many people by influencing the laws and policies created by government agencies. They analyze data, conduct research, and prepare reports. The National Institutes of Health may also employ them directly. In this field, you can concentrate on a particular area of public policy, such as education, social advocacy, the government, or research and development.

Careers in public health 

Within the field of public health are different career paths or categories, and within each category are numerous subspecialties. If you want to help improve the health and well-being of communities or special populations, you can likely find a niche that suits you. Here are some examples:

*Salary data is sourced from Talent.com, and job outlook information is sourced from the Government of Canada Job Bank.

Community health worker

Median annual salary: $49,881 CAD

Job outlook: Labour demand and supply are expected to be balanced nationally through 2031

Community health workers assist the community by serving as advocates for individuals and the community by communicating their needs to providers and social service agencies. They often serve as liaisons in identifying and helping implement programs to promote the community's overall health. Community health workers often enter the field after completing a college or university program in a social science or health-related field. 

Health educator 

Median annual salary: $81,179 CAD

Job outlook: Prospects are widely expected to be good in the most populous provinces through at least 2026

Health educators play a broad range of roles in public health. Their primary purpose is to develop programs to expand the community’s knowledge about factors that impact their health and well-being. A bachelor’s degree or college diploma is necessary. 

Epidemiologist

Median annual salary: $94,310 CAD

Job outlook: The demand for epidemiologists is expected to exceed available professionals through 2031

Epidemiologists are on the front lines of public health and safety, working to identify patterns of illnesses and injuries, stratifying public risks, and advising on public health policies. A graduate degree may be enough for an entry-level position, but a doctorate typically provides more opportunities in the field. 

Statistician

Median annual salary: $92,898 CAD

Job outlook: The demand for statisticians is expected to exceed available professionals through 2031

A statistician applies mathematical theories and methods to break numerical data into usable information. In the field of public health, they often help track patterns and behaviours that impact the community's health. A graduate degree in statistics, mathematics, or other closely related fields is required.

Social and community service worker

Median annual salary: $74,539 CAD

Job outlook: Labour demand and supply are expected to be balanced nationally through 2031

Social and community service managers oversee programs that benefit the public. A bachelor's degree is usually a minimum requirement, and certification and provincial regulatory body membership may be required. 

Environmental scientist

Median annual salary: $101,097 CAD

Job outlook: Prospects are expected to be good in the most populous provinces, such as Ontario and Quebec, through at least 2026

Environmental scientists study what impacts the environment and its role in public health. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level positions, and certification may be required.

Medical records clerk

Median annual salary: $97,198 CAD

Job outlook: Labour demand and supply are expected to be balanced nationally through 2031

Medical records clerks manage and organize patient records and data. Clerks process admissions, keep patient files current and assist in audits. Completion of secondary school is typically required.

Community nutritionist

Median annual salary: $70,980 CAD 

Job outlook: The demand for community nutritionists is expected to exceed available professionals through 2031

Healthy food choices have proven benefits. Nutritionists plan and administer programs to improve the nutritional health of the community. Community nutritionists typically need a bachelor’s degree and may need certification or registration with a regulatory body. 

How to work in public health based on your career path 

Due to the variety of career paths you can take in public health, the requirements to enter the industry vary. Some public health workers begin their careers at the entry-level with a secondary school diploma or as volunteers. Others earn a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree to qualify for their desired role. Some individuals do not plan on getting into public health, but their experiences within their chosen careers lead them to this field. 

Along with educational preparation, you will also want to develop skills essential for your success in public health. Consider these tips when beginning your journey as a public health professional.

Learn

The first step is understanding the minimum requirements for the public health profession you want to pursue. Research the positions that interest you and explore the education and training requirements. While most entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree or higher, some jobs require little or no secondary education but emphasize experience. A range of volunteer positions can help you gain the expertise you need while providing a valuable service to the community.

An associate or bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for some public health professions. These programs equip you with a wide range of knowledge in public health and allow you to choose a master's program that's right for you should you decide to continue your education.

An associate degree is a good starting point for laying a solid foundation in public health studies. Examples of jobs available to those with an associate degree or a combination of education and experience include:

• Medical coder

• Cancer registrar

You can also pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in various fields to prepare you for roles in public health, including, among many others:

• Bachelor of Science in Public Health

• Bachelor of Health Sciences

• Bachelor of Social Work 

• Bachelor of Environmental Public Health

• Bachelor of Science in Nutrition

• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Public health careers have specific educational requirements, even though requirements vary by profession. 

A Master of Public Health (MPH) can help you prepare for local, provincial, national, and even international leadership positions in various public health settings. You can select this or other master's and doctoral programs based on your future career goals. For example, epidemiologists, advanced health educators, and health survey researchers require a master's degree. Some graduate-level degrees in public health include:

• Master of Public Health

• Master of Epidemiology programs

• Master of Health Management Program

• Executive Master of Health Administration

• Master of Public Health: Nutrition and Dietetics

• Master of Health Science

• Doctor of Public Health

Develop skills

To qualify for and expand your career opportunities in a public health role, develop skills that align with the eight core competencies sought after by most employers in the public health sector: 

• Policy development: Learn how to develop and implement policies related to public health by evaluating needs and strategizing potential policy solutions.

• Analytical skills: Learning to extrapolate relevant information from data is crucial, and using this information to create an actionable response is essential for success in public health. 

• Cultural awareness: Community-based health initiatives require cultural competency, which allows public health workers to create need-based services for people from diverse cultural backgrounds. 

• Communication skills: Communication skills may seem basic, but such skills are essential for gathering community input, acting to facilitate communication, and properly disseminating information. 

• Public health science: This area of skills helps build a foundation for understanding public health, allowing for evidence-based policy-making. 

• Community partnerships: Building active partnerships helps shape and defend community health-based programs. 

• Leadership and systems thinking: Since collaboration among numerous agencies and the community is critical to an effective public health system, leadership skills that focus on teamwork and mentoring are essential. 

• Financial planning and management: Funding is often among the most significant barriers to effective public health. Learning responsible planning and management of finite finances, along with the state, federal, and local procedures, can lay the foundation for the success of programs. 

Consider certification

Many people who earn a public health certification have earned a bachelor's degree or gained work experience. These certifications often boost your career prospects by expanding your knowledge and skills related to public health. 

The Certification in Public Health Inspection (CPHI) achievement indicates to employers that you have a solid foundation in critical public health principles. 

Getting started in public health

To learn more about public health, consider taking an introductory course online, such as Foundations of Public Health Practice Specialization offered by the Imperial College London or Essentials of Global Health by Yale University on Coursera.

Discover more courses related to public health on Coursera that can help you decide which area to specialize in or enhance your knowledge for your current position. Topics include epidemiology, biostatistics in public health, foundations of global health, statistical analysis in public health, and more.