Public Health

Public health specialists are physicians who are concerned with the health of a population rather than individuals. They focus on improving the health of communities and reducing the incidence of illness and injury. Their primary goal is to promote health and disease prevention to make communities and environments healthier. Public health specialists gather data, conduct research, and consult with public health officials to develop legislation and strategies that improve the health and wellbeing of entire communities. They also educate the public and healthcare community, oversee community clinics, monitor disease occurrence and spread, and develop programs tailored to the communities they serve. General Responsibilities: 1. Focus primarily on the health of communities and populations 2. Gather data to analyze and assess public health problems 3. Teach medical students 4. Conduct research related to community health problems including their possible causes and links to other issues in the community 5. Consult with public health officials to develop legislation that focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of entire communities 6. Propose health-care legislation or oversee health-related offices and commissions at the city, state, or federal level 7. Develop strategies that can help lead to the implementation of programs that will prevent disease or promote good overall health in the community 8. Educate the public and healthcare community 9. Oversee how the community clinics treat patients 10. Monitor the occurrence and spread of disease 11. Develop programs designed for the communities their clinics serve