Why work in public health?

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Skills and knowledge needed to work in public health

If you decide to work in public health, you'll be developing knowledge on subjects such as:

• differing health needs
• what influences our health and wellbeing
• how to prevent ill-health and promote health

And you will be developing skills in areas such as:

• analysing and interpreting information on people and health
• reviewing literature on what works to make a difference
• effective communication, joint working and leadership

These are just a few examples of the kinds of knowledge and skills you might gain. A more detailed framework exists of all the knowledge and skills [2] (or competencies) in public health. 

If you can make change happen and believe passionately about improving and protecting people's health and wellbeing, then public health is the career for you.

The rewards of a public health career

Here's what some people working in public health roles say about what they do:

• “working as a director of public health [3] to bring government departments and organisations together has been really rewarding”
• "it was great to know that our work in environmental health [4] on controlling a food poisoning outbreak protected other people from further harm"
• “my proudest accomplishment as a health trainer [5] is the development of a client-centred service that is making men’s health matter”

Working in public health also means that you can get to work at local, regional, national and international levels:

• Local levels

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  • with individuals and families
  • with and for local communities
  • with organisations that deliver services to individuals, families and communities (eg local authorities, health services, charities and independent organisations)
  • in teaching and research
• Regional and national levels

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  • with organisations that plan services and develop policy (eg government departments, head offices for health services, social care organisations, charitable organisations, large companies)
• International levels

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  • with other countries and organisations to control the global spread of diseases (such as pandemic influenza, ebola) or in responding to natural disasters with a major impact on public health (such as earthquakes and floods)
  • with organisations whose main focus is improving health outcomes in low or middle-income settings (eg charitable organisations, UN organisations)