A Bachelors in Public Health (BPH) prepares students for careers in public health, health administration, environmental health, nutrition, epidemiology, biostatics, health policy and more. A bachelors degree in Public Health can also serve as preparation for further academic work in public health, such as a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) or Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH).

Today there are several online Bachelors in Public Health degree programs for students to choose from. Earning a Bachelors in Public Health online can be a flexible and cost-effective way for working adults to earn a public health degree. We’ve profiled and ranked ten of the best online Bachelor of Public Health programs based on academic reputation, online education quality, student satisfaction, and overall value.

#1. Post University

Located in Waterbury, Connecticut since 1890, Post University has a long and historic past in New England. The Post University online academic program ranks consistently in the U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Online Programs. Created in 1996, the online degree program was one of the nation’s first.

Online Bachelors in Public Health Details
The average time to degree completion is 31 months. Students in the program can specialize in the field of Human Services Management to learn contemporary techniques in health institution administration. The Sociology track teaches students the fundamentals of handling social problems and deviant behavior. Finally, the Counseling concentration offers courses in crisis intervention and interview methods. Graduates receive the same Post University diploma given to students of the main campus.

Accreditation
Post University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#2. Walden University

Founded in 1970, Walden University was established for working adults to pursue education without feeling forced to sacrifice income or family time. Walden University houses five colleges, including the highly regarded College of Health Sciences.

Online Bachelors in Public Health Details
Walden University offers an online Bachelors in Public Health degree program for students who wish to study wellness programs, disease prevention and similar topics. Students can tailor the Public Health program to their interests with specializations that include Child Development, Disaster and Emergency Management, Health Communications, Health Psychology and Health Informatics. Students can complete the program in less than four years.

Accreditation
Walden University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#3. Northeastern University

Established in 1898 and located in Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern University is in the top 100 research universities in the United States. Northeastern University pioneered cooperative education by partnering with businesses and nonprofits to enhance student learning.The Princeton Review placed Northeastern University at the top of the list of “Best Internships and Career Services” for 2013.

Online Bachelors in Public Health Details
Northeastern University College of Professional Studies offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a specialization in health and social issues. The program gives students insight into current public health challenges for specific groups of society. The program also educates students about public health in crisis situations. All coursework for a Bachelor of Science in Human Services can be completed online. A full time student is able to earn the degree in four years and a part time student can earn it in seven years.

Accreditation
Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#4. University of Missouri

Located in Columbia, Missouri, a college town dedicated to providing a welcoming environment for students, the University of Missouri is a major research university offering modern facilities. The Department of Health Sciences, part of the School of Health Professions, has a reputation for providing a wide range of clinical health services to state residents and for facilitating innovative faculty research in the health sciences.

Online Bachelors in Public Health Details
The University of Missouri offers the Bachelors in Public Health online as a non-clinical program, requiring no official time on campus. Though the length of time spent in the program varies, depending on pace of study, every student must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of courses. Most of the courses are traditional, semester-based in format; however, students may choose to take Independent Study courses, if available. Independent study courses allow a nine-month maximum time for completion.

Accreditation
The University of Missouri is a member of The Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#5. Kent State University

Founded in 1910 as a teachers college, Kent State University is a globally recognized major research institution. The College of Public Health, established in 2009, offers various degrees preparing students to improve the health and well-being of society. Students may opt for one of three online concentrations leading to the Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree. There is only one other college in the state of Ohio with a college of Public Health.

Online Bachelors in Public Health Details
Online students may concentrate in the Allied Health field if they possess, or are in the process of attaining, a license in a qualified allied health professional field. The Health Promotion and Education concentration provides training in assessing the factors that cause people to engage in certain health adverse activity. The Health Services concentration prepares students for entry-level careers in health care management.

Accreditation
Kent State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#6. Northern Arizona University

Nationally recognized many times and located in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona, Northern Arizona University is a leading public university. Their superior programs may also be accessed at multiple statewide locations and online. Specifically, the School of Public Health is offered on campus and online and has a history of being in high demand for health care professionals looking to advance their careers.

Online Bachelors in Public Health Details
This degree trains students in essential Public Health subject matter and procedures that can be employed within multiple health-related fields. The online degrees include: Community Health, Applied Science, Diagnostic Medical Imaging and Therapy, Surgical Technology, Respiratory Care, Physical Therapist Assisting, Paramedic Care, and Medical Assisting. This flexible program allows students to earn a degree while continuing to work. Students may transfer over 60 lower classification credits. Advisement, registration, class scheduling, and curriculum delivery are all available online. The program requires 120 units of NAU and transfer coursework.

Accreditation
Northern Arizona University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

#7. University of North Carolina Greensboro

Chartered in 1891, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a research university that emphasizes high quality teaching to enhance the learning experience of its students. The Department of Public Health, one of the five departments within the School of Health and Human Services, prepares graduates to educate the community on the social value of wise health care decisions.

Online Bachelors in Public Health
This online program is for students already holding a college degree, whether Associates or Bachelors, who want a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies. Prospective students should apply for Fall semester admission and be sure that their cumulative GPA is at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The course requirements consist of twelve required health courses and four electives. All courses are online.

Accreditation
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#8. University of West Florida

The University of West Florida was founded in 1963 for the purpose of providing an institute of higher learning in Northwest Florida. The University is located in Pensacola, Florida and is a part of the State University System of Florida. The University offers over 19 degree programs online.

Online Bachelors in Public Health Details
The University of West Florida offers an Bachelors degree in Health Sciences with a specialization in Public Health. This program targets students who have earned an associates degree and allows them to complete their B.S. in Health Sciences online. The program is focused on preparing students to become a part of the public health industry as well as giving them a strong foundation for a Masters in Public Health. The program encourages students to gain experience by working with local health departments.

Accreditation
The University of West Florida is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#9. American Public University

American Public University was established in 2002 as an online public service higher education provider. This university educates over one hundred thousand international students and offers more than one hundred and seventy degree programs. APU has been recognized and awarded for exceptional involvement in environmentally conscious initiatives and is a leader in the online education industry.

Online Bachelors in Public Health Details
One of the outstanding online degree programs offered by APU is the Bachelor of Science in Public Health. This degree program helps students increase their knowledge in the areas of research, health services, public health, finance, epidemiology, risk communication, and emergency management. Courses are also provided in the areas of public policy, chemistry, biology, and health care administration. Students are expected to complete one hundred and twenty-one credit hours in four years.

Accreditation
American Public University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#10. National University

National University was founded in 1971 in La Jolla, California. This university is a reputable leader in providing higher education to a vast number of minority students and has received several awards from the Council for Advancement and Support for Education Circle of Excellence. National University was also recognized as an educational leader by The Chronicle of Higher Education in 2010.

Online Bachelors in Public Health Details
The School of Health and Human Services offers a Bachelor of Science degree program in Public Health. This degree program presents students with a myriad of academic content which is based on national, state, and local public health regulatory processes as well as community health challenges. The total credit requirement for a Bachelor’s degree in this field is one hundred and eighty hours.

Accreditation
National University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

If you already have an MPH or related degree and are interested in research, teaching, or consulting in the field of public health, a Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) may be for you. It will require a lot of work and time (4-6 years), but if public health is your passion, rewards can be found in the journey, as well as the destination. According to the Association of Schools of Public Health, the demand for public health workers, advisers, teachers, and consultants is at an all time high.

Earning your PhD in Public Health online can help reduce some of the time and expense required involved in a traditional campus-based Phd program, but don’t expect it to be any easier. Currently there are only a few online Phd programs in public health. We’ve profiled and ranked five of the best based on academic reputation and overall value.

#1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

A highly ranked, major research university, located in one of the most picturesque and lively college towns in the nation, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill presents students a challenging, yet pleasurable academic environment. The Gillings School of Global Public Health has an outstanding faculty and student body reflected in its consistent ranking by U.S. News and Report as the top public university in the field of public health.

Online DrPH Program Details
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers the online Ph.D. program to train professionals in public health for executive leadership positions. Students take a core of classes in health leadership. This three-year program begins with two years of courses in the leadership concentration. Then, students will spend their third year in the program taking a comprehensive examination, choosing a dissertation topic and completing the dissertation.

Accreditation
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Gillings School of Public Health has full accreditation with the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH).

#2. University of Illinois at Chicago

Founded in 1982, the University of Illinois at Chicago was the second campus launched in the University of Illinois system. It is the largest university in Chicago. In 2013, the university was ranked number 147 on the best national university list published by the U.S. News and World Report. The university’s School of Public Health is committed to offering excellent courses and research options. The school is the only completely accredited school of public health in Illinois.

Online DrPH Program Details
The University of Illinois at Chicago offers an online Doctorate in Public Health that is designed to meet the needs of mid-career public health professionals who seek to advance their careers by increasing their knowledge and leadership capabilities. The curriculum helps public health professionals become experts in the theoretical groundwork of public health, communication and leadership abilities, applied research techniques, and a specialization area.

Accreditation
The University of Illinois at Chicago is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The online DrPH program is accredited by the The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

#3. Walden University

An international leader in online higher education, Walden University was founded in 1970. Walden boasts a diverse, distinguished faculty and a student body of more than 46,000 students from around the globe. In 2012, Walden University was identified as one of the nation’s top producers of minority master’s and doctoral graduates by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. In 2010, enrollment in Walden’s graduate public health program was recognized as the largest in the world by U.S. News & World Report.

Online DrPh Program Details
Walden University offers an online Ph.D. in Public Health program for students interested in developing solutions to public health issues, influencing social policy and empowering citizens. Students who hold a master’s degree in public health can choose Track I, and students with a bachelor’s degree or higher in an area other than public health are eligible to choose Track II. Both research-focused tracks center on Community Health Education and Epidemiology.

Accreditation
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

#4. Capella University

Capella University is a leading online international higher education provider. Founded in 1993, CU has become an integral part of many business professionals’ academic success. This university has received numerous awards for outstanding delivery for industry related higher educational degree programs. CU is rated as one of the best online universities among students who have excelled in their careers as a result of having completed one of the university’s degree programs.

Online DrPH Program Details
Capella University offers a Doctoral degree program in Public Health with specialization areas in Epidemiology and Health Advocacy and Leadership. The Epidemiological degree program provides a rigorous curriculum plan which focuses on biogentics, community public health issues, and career roles. The Doctor of Health Advocacy and Leadership degree program provides learners with a range of relevant subject matter that is focused on national public health legislation, program development, and implementation. A Doctor of Public Health degree requires the successful completion of eighty credit hours.

Accreditation
Capella University is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#5. Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University was founded by the Adventist Church in 1905 in Loma Linda, California. LLU offers over fifty-five degree programs, many of them online. The university’s student body is comprised of national and international learners from more than eighty countries.

Online DrPH Program Details
LLU’s School of Public Health offers a Doctor of Public Health online degree program with specializations in Nutrition, Epidemiology, Health Education, Health Policy and Leadership, and Preventative Care. The Nutrition specialization program provides education in anatomy and physiology, behavioral science, advanced biochemistry, and quantitative proficiency. The Epidemiology programs focuses on increasing knowledge about various diseases. In the Health Education program, students can prepare for leadership roles in higher education, program planning, and research. The Health Policy and Leadership program is based on leadership development and the Preventative Care program aims at helping students prepare for career roles that assist others in maintaining their health. Students should expect to complete the Doctor of Public Health online degree program in three to five years.

Accreditation
Loma Linda University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Students who pursue accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) programs in New York City will have a range of schools to choose from. Columbia University should be at the top of any reputable list. It is considered remarkably interdisciplinary, and students can take classes in the sociomedical sciences, health policy and management, populations and family health, and the environmental health sciences. The sociomedical department, in fact, allows individuals to study anything from sexuality to homelessness to drug use.

Brooklyn College offers a similarly high-ranking MPH program. Some students may wish to follow a more general path in which they range widely over a variety of subjects. Others can concentrate specifically on health care policy and administration, which will allow them to slide into managerial jobs immediately after graduation. Brooklyn College also requires a professional portfolio, which can contain reports, projects, and perhaps even peer-reviewed journal articles. There are some online course options that will be quite beneficial for busy adult students.

New York University, located in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, allows students in its MPH program to study prominent global health issues. Graduates of the NYU program will become immediate forces on the world stage. The program prepares its students for work in vastly different cultural settings. Graduates might find themselves ultimately working in Africa, South America, or Russia. The end goal is to teach the larger public about infectious disease and how to avoid it.

Hunter College, which is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) educational system, also offers an MPH program. As students pursue their degrees, they will become familiar with the concept of health equity. They will also learn how to bring vital health services to the poorest areas of the globe. When impoverished populations have access to modern medicine, entire communities can be turned around. Hunter College is one of the more respected programs when it comes to fighting for the less fortunate.

Students who pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree will eventually play vital roles in the well-being of the community at large. Graduates ultimately work toward disease prevention in areas of the world where modern sanitation practices have not been established. In California, students can work toward their MPH degrees at a number of colleges. San Jose State University, San Diego State University, the University of Southern California, and the University of San Francisco all offer topnotch programs.

San Jose State University offers internships and capstone projects that are invaluable learning opportunities. Thesis projects allow students to concentrate on particular issues that will be vital to public health in the coming decades. Distance learning options also exist for individuals who cannot be physically present on campus during the semester.

San Diego State University provides several areas of specialization. Epidemiology, environmental health, and biometry can all be studied. Environmental health is concerned with clean water and clean air. Graduates of the program will have an intimate understanding of the ways in which pollutants create or exacerbate certain medical conditions.

The University of Southern California’s public health program, run by the Keck School of Medicine, offers a number of unique opportunities. Because Los Angeles is such a cosmopolitan city, students will have a wide variety of internships to choose from. Individuals can take courses in child and family health, biostatistics, and health education and promotion. Though the curriculum itself is rigorous, graduates will emerge with plenty of career options.

The University of San Francisco’s program is rather unique in its own right. Students will need to demonstrate competence in education, managerial service, and workforce development. The university stresses a commitment to social justice and compassion for humanity. Graduates of this very strong program can immediately advocate for change in the more impoverished regions of the world.

Here are our picks for the best campus-based Master of Public Health programs. Our ranking is based on a combination of the National Research Council and U.S. News & World Report rankings of Public Health Schools in the United States. You will find information about each of the schools and their MPH programs, as well as a link to each program’s website. As always, rankings should be used as one tool among many for determining which program is the right fit for your particular interests and needs.

#1. Harvard University School of Public Health

The United States’ first and most distinguished college, Harvard University, first opened its School of Public Health in 1913. Today, the School of Public Health is one of the most highly regarded schools of its kind in the world, and many alumni have gone on to distinguished careers in the health industry. More than 1,000 students are enrolled in the school’s five graduate-level degree programs.

Program Overview
Harvard’s School of Public Health offers a two-semester, 42.5 credit Master of Public Health degree program, which gives students who already hold health-related doctoral or master’s degrees the opportunity to broaden their skills through interdisciplinary study. The MPH program includes a collection of core public health requirements along with coursework on the ethical basis of public health. Each student must choose a concentration in clinical effectiveness, health care management and policy, global health, health and social behavior, law and public health, occupational and environmental health or quantitative methods, pairing the broad coursework of the general program with a focus on a specific aspect of the healthcare industry. Students can opt to complete the degree on a full-time or part-time basis, plus a summer-only scheduling option specifically for students who already hold doctoral degrees and wish to focus on clinical effectiveness or quantitative methods.

Accreditation
The Harvard University School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The last accreditation site visit took place in 2009, and the School will remain accredited until 2017.

#2. University of Michigan School of Public Health

Established in 1817, the University of Michigan is one of the largest public research universities in the world, with over 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students and more than half a million alumni. Its School of Public Health traces its origins to 1881 and began awarding graduate degrees in the early twentieth century. In recent years, the School of Public Health has seen great growth, including the opening of a new complex in 2006.

Program Overview
Michigan’s School of Public Health offers a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree program that can be completed through any of its five departments. This program generally requires 60 credit hours to complete, the equivalent of two full academic years, although students with existing graduate-level credit may be able to finish more quickly. Every student in the M.P.H. program completes a core curriculum of public health classes designed to build a foundation of knowledge of current and growing health problems. Since public health is an inherently interdisciplinary field, students also develop the skills needed to work with professionals in other fields and with political leaders. To this core curriculum, each student adds coursework in biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health behavior and health education or healthcare management and policy. It is possible to complete a dual degree program through multiple departments, although this limits the credit hours available for electives.

Accreditation
The University of Michigan’s School of Public Health has been continuously accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) since 1946.

#3. University of Washington School of Public Health

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington (UW) is a public research university based in Seattle, Washington. With more than 42,000 graduate and undergraduate students, UW is one of the most highly regarded public universities in the nation and routinely ranks in the top 20 worldwide. The University’s School of Public Health currently educates over 1100 students, mostly at the graduate level; it ranked sixth overall and third among publicly funded schools of public health in the 2011 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Program Overview
The University of Washington School of Public Health offers a broad range of Master of Public Health (MPH) degree programs through its five departments and interdisciplinary programs. Students can opt for degrees in biostatistics, community-oriented public health practice, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, global health, health services, nutritional sciences or public health genetics, and many of these programs offer multiple specialized tracks. Typically, each program takes between one and two years to complete, including four or five quarters in residence and one to three quarters of field work. Topics offered within the program of study include policy development, program design, health education, evaluation and research. Among the specialized concentrations offered within the program are health systems and policy, maternal and child health, social and behavior sciences, health metrics and evaluation and more.

Accreditation
The University of Washington School of Public Health is accredited by the Council for Education on Public Health (CEPH), plus five program-level accrediting bodies including the Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Service Administration.

#4. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is a private university located in Baltimore, Maryland. As a pioneer of the concept of the modern research university, Johns Hopkins has consistently ranked among the best such institutions throughout its history, and its research is frequently cited all over the world. The Johns Hopkins Blomberg School of Public Health, established in 1916, is the oldest school of its kind in the world; today, it has over 500 full-time students enrolled and offers multiple degrees through its 10 departments.

Program Overview
The Bloomberg School of Public Health’s flagship master’s program, the Master of Public Health degree program, prepares students for leadership roles in a variety of settings in the health industry. Each student completes a core curriculum in biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, management science, policy and problem solving, public health biology and social and behavioral sciences, providing a broad foundation of skills relevant to any career in public health. The program then offers ten pre-set concentrations in child and adolescent health, epidemiology and biostatistics, food and nutrition, global environmental health, health in crisis and humanitarian assistance, health leadership and management, health systems and policy, infections diseases, social and behavioral sciences and women’s and reproductive health. The School of Public Health also gives students the opportunity to pursue customized programs of study to tailor the experience to their unique interests.

Accreditation
The Bloomberg School of Public health is fully accredited by the Council for Education on Public Health (CEPH), having met all of its 27 criteria.

#5. UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is the flagship institution of the North Carolina public university system. Founded in 1789, UNC consistently ranks among the best universities in the United States; it offers degrees in more than 70 programs of study across 15 academic colleges and schools. UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, founded in 1839, is one of the oldest and heralded schools of its kind in the world.

Program Overview
The UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health offers multiple Master of Public Health (MPH) degree programs through its eight departments, each designed to prepare students for careers that require a broad base of knowledge and specific training in a particular discipline within the field of public health. In order to be admitted to the MPH program, a prospective students needs an accredited bachelor’s degree and either 12 months of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience or an existing advanced degree such as an MD. Completion of any MPH program requires that a student demonstrate mastery of five core competencies, either by completing coursework, transferring credit from another course taken no more than five years prior to enrollment or obtaining an exemption through relevant work experience. The MPH program also includes a rigorous program of specialized study in the student’s chosen concentration.

Accreditation
The UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health is accredited by the Council for Education on Public Health (CEPH).

#6. UC Berkeley School of Public Health

Founded in 1868, the University of California, Berkeley is one of the top-ranked public research universities in the United States. In 1943, it established the first school of public health west of the Mississippi River, which has since grown to become one of the leading schools of its kind in the nation.

Program Overview
The University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health offers nine Master of Public Health degree programs, giving prospective students plenty of opportunities to become experts on a particular aspect of the field of public health. The School offers 11-month and two-year programs of study, with many programs able to be completed on either schedule depending on the student’s degree of prior experience and ability to commit time. In addition to the primary concentrations in environmental health sciences, epidemiology and biostatistics, health and social behavior, health policy and management, infectious diseases and vaccinology, maternal and child health and health care nutrition, students can choose from five specialty areas: aging, global health, maternal and child health, multicultural health and public health nutrition. Mature students with prior experience can opt for an interdisciplinary program, and the school offers multiple concurrent and joint degree programs.

Accreditation
The UC Berkeley School of Public Health is accredited by the Council for Education on Public Health (CEPH).

#7. Yale School of Public Health

The Yale School of Public Health (SPH) began as a department of the School of Medicine in 1915 and gained its first individual accreditation in 1946. The department and its first chair, Charles-Edward Amory Winslow, were instrumental in improving public health conditions and laws in Connecticut, and Winslow also successfully campaigned for the bill to create the State Department of Public Health. The Yale SPH is one of the smallest accredited public health schools in the country with approximately 120 students in each class.

Program Overview
The Yale SPH offers two-year Master of Public Health programs in such disciplines as chronic disease epidemiology, epidemiology of microbial diseases, environmental health sciences and biostatistics. Further specializations are possible within these study areas, and the SPH also offers joint MPH degrees with other Yale graduate schools, including medicine, nursing, divinity and law. Admission to the SPH requires a completed undergraduate degree that includes at least one year of relevant science and one year of relevant math courses. Prospective students must submit applications through the online Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).

Accreditation
The Yale Master of Public Health curriculums receive accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

#8. University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health

One of the oldest institutes of higher learning in the United States in the University of Pittsburgh, which today is one of the world’s most active research universities. Founded in 1948, Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health is likewise one of the oldest of its kind in the nation. Today, the school enrolls over 600 graduate students, has 165 full-time faculty and offers five different graduate degrees through its seven departments.

Program Overview
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program that can be completed through any of its seven departments. Regardless of department, students in the MPG program complete a curriculum that features instruction in a dozen core competencies, including leadership, program planning, biology, biostatistics, epidemiology, professionalism and more. Each student then completes a specialized concentration in behavioral and community health sciences, biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, health policy and management, human genetics or infectious diseases and microbiology. As an alternative to completing the program through a single department, students can opt for a more flexible multidisciplinary track that builds versatility through instruction in multiple health-related fields. In conjunction with the Peace Corps, the Graduate School of Public Health also offers a unique international track that combines rigorous classroom study with two years of experience working in impoverished communities under challenging conditions.

Accreditation
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health is accredited by the Council for Education on Public Health (CEPH).

#9. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

One of the oldest colleges in the United States, Columbia University was founded in 1754 as King’s College and took on its current name in 1784. Its internationally recognized Mailman School of Public Health also has a rather long history, dating back to 1922; it is one of the three oldest such schools in the United States. It is also among the most prestigious, frequently ranked among the very best.

Program Overview
Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health offers two Master of Public Health degree programs: the Columbia MPH, which is designed to be completed in two full years of study, and the accelerated MPH or AMPH, which can be finished in one year of intensive study. In either program, students begin with a set of five core studios in the foundations of public health; biological and environmental determinants of health; social, behavioral and structural determinants of health; health systems and methods for research design. From there, students can select one of 24 certificate programs to focus on their preferred interests within the field of public health. Four of the school’s six departments offer the MPH in either the normal or accelerated format; the biostatistics department offers degrees only on the accelerated schedule, while the environmental health sciences department follows the standard schedule exclusively.

Accreditation
Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health is accredited by the Council for Education on Public Health (CEPH).

#10. University of Minnesota School of Public Health

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health (SPH) was founded in 1944 although the university incorporated public health programs as early as 1874. The SPH was the first in the country to offer a master’s degree in hospital administration, and in 1958, it began the well-known Seven Countries Study that changed views about diet and exercise and their effects on heart attacks and stroke.

Program Overview
The SPH offers a variety of on-campus programs that lead to a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, and within these disciplines, students can often focus on deeper specialties. For example, an environmental health student may specialize in environmental toxicology or environmental infectious diseases among other choices. Some additional MPH disciplines include epidemiology, public health nutrition, and maternal and child health. Programs typically last from two to four years although some accelerated 16-month programs are available. Admissions requirements vary depending on the chosen discipline; some require current medical school enrollment while others allow backgrounds in biology or mathematics. The SPH takes admissions online through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).

Accreditation
The Minnesota SPH receives its accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), and its programs meet competencies set forth by the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH).

There are many great public health blogs on the web. Below are our picks for the Top 25 Public Health Blogs of 2012.

In compiling this list we looked for blogs regularly updated in 2012 with knowledgeable, interesting, and engaging content covering global health policy, epidemiology, behavioral science, health communication, environmental health, infectious diseases and other public health topics. We have included blogs covering just about every major category of public health work, some very narrowly focused, others more broad.

In order to avoid pigeon-holing blogs into a category that may not completely fit, we’ve simply listed them by title in alphabetical order. For each blog we’ve included a brief overview as well as a recommended post to get readers started. Enjoy!

Behavioral Science in the 21st Century – A behavioral analyst looks at current events from the perspective of behavioral science. Due to the deep connections between human behavior and health, there is much here that is relevant to public health even in posts not directly related to the subject.

Where to start: Predictive Policing: Predicting a Crime Before it Happens is an example of a recent post on a significant public health topic.

Better Health for All – The official blog of the Faculty of Public Health, the leading professional body of public health specialists in the United Kingdom, dedicated to public health promotion, protection, advocacy, and education. The go-to site for news and information on public health issues and events in the UK. Discussion and debate is encouraged, so don’t be afraid to mix it up!

Where to start: Find out what the ancients can teach us about often ignored dimension of public health in Authentic Happiness: What the Ancient Greeks Can Tell Us.

Brett Keller – A really beautifully designed blog on global health and development issues by a public health and public policy graduate student. Posts generally covers some aspect of public health or policy, but also stray into more personal reflections as well as photos from the author’s frequent travels.

Where to begin: If you love public health and The Lord of the Rings, you’ll definitely want to check out the hilarious #MiddleEarthPublicHealth mashup meme for something a little different.

Economist’s Lens – Kevin Frick brings a trained economist’s eye to matters of public health and health policy. A unique and valuable contribution to the public health blogging community.

Where to start: Did you know that Looking at Statistics in Isolation Can Lead to the Wrong Conclusions about public health issues like violence? Find out why!

Enviroblog – A group blog of the Environmental Working Group, the authors help make the connections between the environment and public health. Get the latest news and research on contaminants in our air, food, and water, as well as recommendations on what should be done about it.

Where to start: Learn about the potential dangers of cell phone radiation and what to do about it in Cell Phone Radiation May Alter Brain, DNA.

[EpiAnalysis] – Sanjay Basus, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, designed the blog as an online forum for public health researchers in epidemiology, policy, economics, and sociology. Posts cover a wide range of topics in global health but with an emphasis on the social, political, and economic forces at play.

Where to start: Check out Dr. Basus’s helpful breakdown of the key points of the groundbreaking 2010 Global Burden of Disease study.

GlobalHealthPolicy.net – As the name suggests, this is a blog on global health policy. Authored by Andrew Harmer, a Lecturer in Global health Policy at Edinburgh University, and Devi Sridhar, University Lecturer in Global Health Politics at Oxford University, posts are generally engaging, often witty, and always well informed.

Where to begin: The Elders are coming, look busy! is a hilarious take on a group of progressive world leaders calling themselves, yes, The Elders.

Global Health Policy – A group blog covering all aspects of global health policy, from HIV/AIDS, to childhood vaccination, to health insurance coverage. Contributors are professionals in their respective fields and bring a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives to the conversation.

Where to start: Review some of the most important public health events and research of last year with Global Health in 2012: A Year in Links.

haba na haba – Kim Yi Dionne is a political scientist with a special interest in the political dimensions of HIV/AIDS policy and development in Africa. The blog’s name comes from an African proverb meaning “little by little fills the measure,” a reference to the blog’s focus on little things while maintaining hope for large change.

Where to start: Reports of an herbal cure for HIV is the occasion for a fascinating discussion regarding differing perceptions and the racial/political dimensions of HIV/AIDS treatment in Africa.

Health Communication Research – Thoughtful, well-written analysis of the latest research in health communication. Authored by an Associate Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations and the School of Public Health at the University of Texas at Austin.

Where to start: Check out Dr. Mackert’s call for advertisers and public health workers to learn how to get along and work together in The Real Bears: The Advertising Perspective

Humanosphere – A leading online news blog dedicated to covering happenings in global health, the fight against poverty, aid and development. Reporter Tom Paulson runs the site, bringing decades of experience covering stories on science, medicine, and public health around the world.

Where to start: Check out The burden of a new global health agenda announcing the publication of a report that “could do for global health something like what Galileo did for the solar system.”

Improving Population Health – The editors and frequent guest contributors of this group blog explore the latest in policy, research, and practice in population health improvement. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and hosted by the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Population Health Sciences, an excellent online forum for anyone interested in improving their community’s health.

Where to start: Get a refresher on the last year in population health with In the Literature 2012 Year-End Roundup.

Karen Grepin’s Global Health Blog – A public health researcher and consultant shares her thoughts on a variety of public health topics, with an emphasis on global health policy and health systems research. Extremely knowledgeable and well-informed, the author has been a global health consultant for the World Bank, World Health Organization, and the Gates Foundation.

Where to start: The Best Readings in Global Health is an overview of books the author recommends and a great place to begin learning about global health issues.

Monday Morning – Barbara K. Rimer is the dean of the University of North Carolina’s Gillings School of Global Public Health and offers her weekly take on the latest public health happenings and whatever other subject piques her interest. Always well written, interesting, and delivered with a clear passion for public health education and a desire for conversation.

Where to start: Check out Dr. Rimer’s passionate call to get honest about “one of the biggest and most preventable public health problems in our midst” in Binge Drinking: Enough Already!

Pop Health – A unique blog focusing on the intersection of pop culture and public health. Written by an experienced public health educator with an MPH, a special interest in health communication and the affect of media coverage on public health issues, and great wit, there really isn’t anything else like it out there.

Where to start: Check out the author’s take on celebrities who do more harm than good promoting health causes.

Public Health Perspectives – A new addition to the PLOS network of science and health blogs, two epidemiologists, two science teachers and an anthropologist from the US and the UK discuss issues in public health with depth and insight. New posts are made on a weekly basis.

Where to start: Race–and Place–Matters for Health is an excellent example of the kind of interesting, well-reasoned, and opinionated pieces you can find at the blog.

Public Health Is… – A project of student fellows at the UC Berkeley’s Center for Health Leadership, each weekly post attempts to answer the question “What is public health?” from a different angle. Overall, a great introduction to the breadth and diversity of the public health profession. The writing is generally solid, engaging, and opinionated.

Where to start: Public Health is…Buying Local makes an interesting case for localism as a public health issue.

Public Health Matters – The official blog of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. Regular stories and updates from public health events around the United States by a variety of public health professionals. And zombies! A must read for present and future public health workers.

Where to start: Check out Teaching Preparedness through a Zombie Outbreak to discover the uses of zombies in public health.

Statistical Epidemiology – A blog with the noble goal of promoting “the intelligent use and communication of statistics in health research.” While many of the posts can be challenging for the non statistically inclined, the author, a lecturer at the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Leeds, generally writes in a clear and accessible way that even non-specialists can follow.

Where to start: Check out this no BS guide on how to “lose weight” based on the author’s work as an obesity researcher.

Talking About Health – A companion blog to the book by the same name, author and Dr. Roxanne Parrott focuses on the importance of open and clear communication in health matters. Topics range from potential dangers of children’s backpacks, to personal fitness, to breast cancer, all from a public health communication angle.

Where to start: Check out Dr. Parrott’s recent post on Health Communication, Health Literacy, and the Affordable Care Act.

The Febrile Muse – Perhaps the only blog exploring the portrayal of infectious disease in literature and the arts. With a piece recently included in the Best of Science Writing Online 2012 anthology, the author, a pharmacist, is a talented writer who wears her passion for science and the arts on her sleeve.

Where to start: Check out the author’s recommendation on how to get more science in your life, and how to see its connection to the arts, in Short on Science?

The Public’s Health – A professor and doctoral candidate in public health at the Drexel University School of Public Health blog about why public health matters and the challenges involved in creating a healthy community and world. While some articles focus on the Philadelphia area where the authors work, they often range across the public health spectrum and across the globe covering everything from bioterrorism to poverty and mental illness.

Where to start: Every wonder Is Kanye West a Menace to Public Health? Well here’s your answer!

The Pump Handle – Named after the London cholera outbreak of 1854, caused by a water pump, this is a gathering place for public health workers around the world. A variety of public health experts discuss the latest news and provide analysis and opinion on public health happenings in every area of the field, from drug safety, to environmental health, to the latest in public health research.

Where to start: Check out Where Did the Pardoned Thanksgiving Turkey Come From?: Inspector Records Tell the Filthy Story for some interesting public health reporting that gets beneath the surface of a beloved holiday tradition.

The Rest of the Story – A professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at Boston University brings you the whole story behind the news on tobacco policy and industry. For incisive commentary on issues regarding tobacco and public health, there’s nothing else like it.

Where to start: Check out the Dr. Siegel’s critique of the anti-smoking movement’s objection to electronic cigarettes.

Topnaman Malaria Blog – A blog dedicated to news and discussion about malaria named after everyone’s favorite microwavable noodles. The author, studying to be an MD/Epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina and working for the National Institute of Malaria Research in India, offers smart and critical commentary on the latest publications and events related to malaria.

Where to start: Malaria hotspots and targeting is a great example of the type of thoughtful and critical engagement with recent research the author does so well.

Now is a great time to pursue a career in public health. A diverse and rewarding field, public health offers meaningful career opportunities for people at all educational levels. No matter what your interests, odds are you will be able to find a position you enjoy in public health. Here are 50 of the top paying jobs in public health organized by formal educational requirements. The further down the list you go, the more education and training required.

No College Degree Required

Reproductive Health Specialist

Reproductive health specialists provide essential services and health education to the general public. They assist with family planning tasks and may take samples for HIV/AIDS and STD testing. Some reproductive health specialists also handle basic medical billing and reception duties.

Typical Workplace Environment
The majority of reproductive health specialists work in family planning-oriented health facilities. As such, they work in a medical office environment. Reproductive health specialists work for both government agencies and private organizations.

Education/Training Requirements
Reproductive health specialists must have some prior experience in medical assisting. Facilities in some states require reproductive health specialists to hold a medical assisting license. Most reproductive health specialists also have some training in public health education.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for reproductive health specialists vary greatly according to geographic region. Most individuals in these roles earn between $30,000 – $55,000 per year. Salaries increase significantly as reproductive health specialists gain experience in this field. The demand for these specialists is growing at a rate much faster than demand for trained professionals in almost all other fields.

Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers promote healthy living by educating people in their communities about disease prevention and by connecting them to formal health and human service systems. In addition to providing informal counseling and support, they often advocate for the health needs of their community, while building their community’s capacity act on their own behalf.

Typical Workplace Environment
Community Health Workers can be found in hospitals, community health centers, social service organizations, and public health departments. They spend most of their time in the community rather than in an office.

Education/Training Requirements
Education requirements for Community Health Workers vary by state, city, and employer. Workers typically undergo some formal training and certification process, though they do not always possess a college degree.

Salary Range
The typical salary for Community Health Workers varies significantly, ranging from $28,000 – $60,000 depending upon the particular employer and worker’s level of experience, among other things.
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Certificate or Associate’s Degree Typically Required

Nutritionist

Nutritionists are experts in the dietary requirements of human beings. They analyze the habits and characteristics of individuals in order to create meal plans and administer advice on what should be eaten to achieve specific health goals or to maintain general health.

Typical Workplace Environment
Nearly one-third of nutritionists are employed by hospitals. Approximately 10 percent work in outpatient clinics or doctors’ offices while 8 percent work in nursing homes. Other employers include schools and cafeterias. About 15 percent of dieticians are self-employed and work from home offices.

Education/Training Requirements
Many dieticians have an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, food management or a similar discipline, but a degree may not always be required. Most states, however, do require that nutritionists hold a state license. Academic programs are also available for students who wish to earn a registered dietician (RD) credential.

Salary Range and Employment Outlook
As of 2010, the median salary of dieticians in the U.S. was $53,250. However, the pay range of the middle 80 percent is $33,330 to $75,480. The number of available jobs for dieticians is expected to rise by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Public Health Nurse

The job of a public health nurse is to improve community health. They provide education and increased health care access to areas that lack adequate medical services.

Typical Working Environment
Public health nurses usually work for government agencies, community health centers and many other organizations that improve community access to health care. They sometimes work in multidisciplinary teams to solve public health concerns.

Education and Training Requirements
Public health nurses must complete both the education requirements and the licensing process to become a registered nurse. These requirements vary between states.

The training requirements for a public health nurse fluctuates with each employer. Most employers require public health nurses to complete a specialized training program before they are allowed to work in the field.

Salary Range and Employment Outlook
The average salary of a public health nurse is $51,000 a year. The employment outlook for this position is encouraging. The expected growth for public health nurses is excellent because of the increasing demand for nurses in the health care industry.

Environmental Health Technician

Environmental health technicians perform tests in the field or in laboratories to monitor the state of the environment as it relates to public health. Among the tests most commonly performed is the measurement of pollution levels. Environmental health technicians work under the supervision of environmental specialists.

Typical Workplace Environment
Environmental health technicians may perform their duties in the field, in offices or in laboratory settings. Most of these technicians work for scientific and technical consulting firms, but others work for the government, for hospitals or for testing laboratories.

Education/Training Requirements
Some entry-level positions for environmental health technicians require only a high school diploma, but most employers require that applicants possess an associate’s degree or a certification in environmental studies or geographic information systems.

Salary Range and Employment Outlook
In 2010, the median salary for environmental health technicians was $41,380. The pay for the bottom 10 percent was less than $26,590, and the top 10 percent earned over $67,630 per year. The total number of positions for environmental health technicians in the U.S. is expected to increase by 24 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Public Health Inspector

Public health inspectors’ responsibilities include inspecting public buildings as well as businesses such as restaurants for safety and health code violations. Other duties of public health inspectors include writing reports and issuing citations.

Typical Work Environment
Most public health inspectors work for private companies while the rest are employed by state and local governments.

Education/Training Requirements
Education requirements for public health inspectors generally include an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in science or public safety.

Salary and Job Outlook
Salaries for public health inspectors are based on each inspector’s location, education level and number of years of experience. The average public health inspector earns $39,000 per year. With fewer and fewer people pursuing science degrees, public health inspectors continue to be in high demand.
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Bachelor’s Degree Typically Required

Public Health Engineer

Public Health Engineers work to ensure that infrastructure, machinery and equipment is properly designed and maintained to reduce the risk of injury, illness or infection to the general public.

Typical Workplace Environment
Public Health Engineers spend the majority of their time in an office setting, but traveling to meet with the public is not uncommon.

Education/Training Requirements
Public Health Engineers are typically required to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a concentration in either mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering or industrial engineering.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
The salary for Public Health Engineers can vary according to experience, education and region. Salaries range from $45,530 – $114,470, and professionals working for state governments tend to be paid the most. Demand for Public Health Engineers is projected to grow at the same rate as most occupations.

Industrial Hygienist

Industrial hygienists are scientists and engineers who work to minimize the public health risks of the workplace environment. Hygienists conduct research on potentially dangerous workplace situations and devise strategies to minimize the public health risks of these situations. They train workers to avoid potentially hazardous situations, and they advise governments and regulators in the development of workplace standards to minimize health dangers.

Workplace Environment
Industrial hygienists will spend the majority of their time working in an office. However, industrial hygienists occasionally need to travel to inspect facilities or conduct research. While traveling, industrial hygienists may be exposed to many environments.

Education and Training Requirements
To become an industrial hygienist, an individual will need to pass a rigorous examination and possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry or physics. With relevant experience, an individual may substitute a related degree in place of the specified field of study.

Salary Expectations and Employment Opportunities
Most industrial hygienists earn between $45,000 and $114,000 per year, depending on experience, education and location. Job growth is expected to be average over the next ten years.

State/Federal Environmentalist

State environmentalists, also know as sanitarians, perform a critical role in protecting public health. Sanitarians identify and study environmental factors that may negatively impact public health. They collect data on environmental threats, and they run experiments to determine the level of threat that various toxins and pollutants may pose to the environment and the public. State environmentalists are also involved in land-use planning, conduct environmental impact studies, and aid in crafting new regulatory frameworks and laws.

Working Conditions
State environmentalists have varied working conditions. Some environmentalists spend most of their time working in a laboratory, and other environmentalists spend most of their working life collecting samples and data in the field. Senior environmentalists may spend more time working in an office.

Education and Training Requirements
To become an environmentalist, an individual must possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field, such as biology or chemistry. Advanced degrees may also be necessary. No special training or certification is necessary beyond the educational requirements.

Salary Expectations and Opportunities
Environmentalists can expect to earn between $40,000 – $107,000 per year. Job growth is expected to be strong in this field; population and economic growth is increasing the need for environmentalists.

Environmental Health Emergency Response Specialist

Environmental Health Emergency Response Specialists work to coordinate efforts to rescue and assist affected members of a population that has experienced an environmental health emergency. These professionals also work to establish plans of action in case of an emergency.

Typical Workplace Environment
Environmental Health Emergency Response Specialists work in the field in conjunction with community leaders in order to put emergency preparedness plans into place. During an emergency, these professionals will work in the field to ensure that plans are being carried out.

Education/Training Requirements
Environmental Health Emergency Response Specialists are generally required to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology or chemistry.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
The salary of an Environmental Health Emergency Response Specialists ranges from $29,000 – $101,000. Region weighs heavily on salary for these professionals, and individuals working in large metropolitan areas on the West Coast and in the Northeast make the most. Demand is expected to grow quicker than average for this occupation.

NGO Director

Individuals who direct nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are responsible for a wide variety of managerial and oversight tasks. They are generally required to manage organizational initiatives and budgets. NGO directors must be passionate about the communities with which they work.

Typical Workplace Environment
NGO directors work in nonprofit organizations around the globe. They do the majority of their work in the home offices of such organizations. However, NGO directors are expected to visit the communities in which they work on a regular basis. They may be required to travel extensively.

Education/Training Requirements
The majority of NGO directors hold at least a four-year degree in liberal arts, social sciences or a field closely affiliated with the area in which their NGO works. Many NGO directors also hold an MBA or other advanced management degree. They must have extensive experience working with NGOs.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for NGO directors vary greatly according to location. The average NGO salary is estimated to be approximately $64,000 per year. Directors at high-profile organizations may earn salaries in excess of $100,000 per year. The employment outlook in this field is stable but can quickly change with economic upswings or downturns.

Health Communications Specialist

Health Communications Specialist work to provide information to the public and media about illness and healthy living. They package new research and clinical trial results in understandable formats for public use. They also advocate for public health initiatives and guide public understanding about control of epidemics and healthy lifestyles.

Typical Workplace Environment
Health Communications Specialists can work in a variety of settings, including public venues, offices and community settings. Specialists can be planning events, drafting press releases and communicating with media outlets.

Education/Training Requirements
Common requirements for Health Communication Specialists are five years in related communication, including business and healthcare, and a bachelor’s degree in fields like journalism or communication studies. Specialists also must be skilled in production of publications and presentations for use in media.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries range by geography, experience and employer, from $30,000 to $96,000. Estimates predict that employment for Health Communications Specialists will grow much faster than average.

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators are experienced nurses who teach nursing classes to students and also serve as mentors to new graduates. As teachers, they work closely with students, implement coursework and develop lesson plans. They may also work at the administrative level, and a few go on to become college deans.

Typical Workplace Environment
Many nurse educators work inside classrooms at colleges and universities. Those who serve as deans or administrators work inside offices. Clinical nurse educators work at hospitals, community clinics and medical offices. In some cases, nurses are able to combine patient care with teaching.

Education and Training Requirements
Prior to instructing students, nurse educators must first become registered nurses and have experience caring for patients. They must also keep up with current trends in medicine. At the minimum, a bachelor’s degree is required, but many nurse educators obtain advanced degrees.

Salary Range and Employment Outlook
A typical salary varies by workplace and geographical location, but generally, the average wage is between $51,000 and $99,000. As more people enter the nursing profession, the need for nurse educators is expected to increase.

Disease Ecologist

Disease ecologists perform the important task of researching and evaluating the impact of ecological changes on the spread of infectious diseases and other pathogens. They help determine the true burden of human changes to the environment and any health-related issues that result.

Workplace Environment
Disease ecologists work in a variety of settings that are clean and comfortable. A specialist in disease ecology will often work in a university or other higher education setting as a professor. Others work in laboratories, public health organizations, national parks, state parks, and similar locations.

Education Required
Most entry-level disease ecologist positions require a bachelor’s degree in biology or ecology with a concentration in disease ecology. University professors will require a PhD degree in the field, as well as a history of published research.

Typical Salary and Career Outlook for Disease Ecologists
As of 2011, the salary range for disease ecologists was $36,000 – $90,000. Pay is determined partly by geographical location and partly by one’s seniority in the field. The career outlook for disease ecologists is good, particularly as companies and governments become more concerned with how they impact the environment.

Health Promotion Program Coordinator

Health promotion program coordinators oversee the planning and management of public health promotion programs. They work closely with program developers, managers and outcomes researchers. Program coordinators may develop educational materials and are generally required to apply for grant funding for their programs.

Typical Workplace Environment
Health promotion program coordinators generally work for government agencies, nonprofit organizations and universities. They spend the majority of their time in an office environment.

Education/Training Requirements
Health promotion program coordinators generally hold at least a B.A. degree in public health or a related field. Many organizations require job candidates to hold an M.A. degree. Most health promotion program coordinators also have prior experience in program management.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for health promotion program coordinators are generally based upon the size of a program and an individual’s previous experience. Starting salaries range between $40,000 – $50,000 per year. Coordinators who work at the national level in large programs earn between $80,000 – $90,000 per year. Demand for health promotion program coordinators is rising at a steady rate in urban areas.

Public Health Information Officer

Public health information officers are responsible for providing information about major health issues to the public and for promoting disease prevention. They may conduct community-based research in order to identify major health issues. Public health information officers also provide information about clinics and health programs to the general public.

Typical Workplace Environment
The majority of public health information officers work in public health departments or large hospitals. They spend most of their time in the office but may give presentations to the general public or professional groups outside of the office.

Education/Training Requirements
Public health information officers must hold at least a BA degree in public health. Many individuals in these positions hold MA degrees in public health or health education.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Experienced public health information officers earn salaries between $49,000 – $91,800 per year. Those individuals who work in hospitals tend to earn higher salaries than those who work in public health departments. Demand for specialists in this area is expected to remain high for the foreseeable future.

Medical Writer

Medical writers’ responsibilities include crafting documents on medical issues in clear and concise language. Medical writers contribute to public health by writing press releases, web content and patient education materials for medical centers and other organizations. In addition, medical writers prepare reports for companies seeking approval for new medicines and medical devices that might benefit the public.

Typical Working Environment
Medical writers work for a variety of employers including hospitals, medical schools and private pharmaceutical, marketing or research companies. Approximately 30 percent of medical writers are freelancers.

Education Requirements
Education requirements for medical writers vary but generally include a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or a medical-related field.

Typical Salary and Employment Outlook
Salaries for medical writers vary based on the individual writer’s location, employer, education level and the type of writing in which he or she is engaged. The average salary for a medical writer is $72,000. Medical writers are highly sought-after, and their employment outlook is expected to improve as the health care industry expands to meet demand.

Emergency Preparedness Specialist

Emergency preparedness specialists are responsible for providing emergency preparedness training to first responders and the general public. They are also required to evaluate community-wide emergency preparedness and may formulate disaster or terrorism response plans.

Typical Workplace Environment
Emergency preparedness specialists generally work for municipal, state and federal public safety offices. They are required to interface with other safety professionals and make regular trips to community centers, schools and other public gathering places. Some specialists work in industrial facilities.

Education/Training Requirements
The majority of emergency preparedness specialists hold a four-year degree in public or urban planning. They generally have previous experience in the field of emergency preparedness and management.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for emergency preparedness specialists vary greatly according to geographic area. Those specialists employed by private businesses and federal agencies tend to make more than other specialists in this area. Most emergency preparedness specialists earn between $39,000 – $71,000 per year. Demand for these specialists is expected to rise steadily for the foreseeable future.

Consumer Safety Officer

Consumer safety officers work to enforce the regulations of the FDA. These officers investigate violations of FDA regulations and start legal actions against violators. Additionally, consumer safety officers help all levels of the public to interpret FDA regulations. Consumer safety officers help design inspection procedures, and they also help coordinate the approval of new drugs.

Typical Working Environment
Most of a consumer safety officer’s days will be spent working out of an office. However, consumer safety officers will often need to travel to the site of an investigation; officers may be forced to work in a variety of different environments while working on-site.

Education and Training Requirements
Consumer safety officers are required to have at least 30 semester-hours of study in a field related to public health, such as biology, nursing or nutrition. Additionally, a prospective consumer safety officer will need either a bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in a similar position.

Salary and Opportunities
Consumer safety officers can expect to make between $28,000 and $71,000 per year, depending on education, experience and location. The FDA is almost always hiring for this position, but there are few openings and competition is fierce.

Health and Wellness Manager

Health and wellness managers analyze data about health issues in given populations and design intervention programs to address those issues. Most health and wellness managers also provide health education classes or seminars. They are required to conduct research to gauge the success of health programs.

Typical Workplace Environment
Health and wellness managers work both in public health facilities and for private corporations. They spend the majority of their time working in a traditional office environment but are also required to interface with the general public or corporate employees in order to conduct basic research and offer health education.

Education/Training Requirements
Most health and wellness managers hold at least a B.A. degree in exercise science or a related field. Some employers require individuals in these roles to hold M.A. degrees in public health.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for health and wellness managers vary according to experience level. Most professionals in this field earn between $39,000 – $70,000 per year. Demand for health and wellness managers in both public and private settings is growing rapidly.

Behavioral Health Program Coordinator

Behavioral health program coordinators work closely with mental health professionals, patients and the general community to provide high-quality behavioral health services. They are required to work closely with case managers in order to evaluate program strengths and weaknesses.

Typical Workplace Environment
The majority of behavioral health program coordinators work in public mental health and behavioral health facilities. They complete most tasks in an office environment but are also required to interface with the public at special events. Some behavioral health program coordinators may work at schools and universities.

Education/Training Requirements
Most behavioral health program coordinators hold a B.A. degree in psychology or a closely related field. They may be required to have previous administrative or managerial experience and must pass a background check. Some facilities require program coordinators to hold advanced degrees in psychology or nursing.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Compensation for behavioral health program coordinators depends largely on whether they work in public or private facilities. Salaries for these positions range from $45,000 – $70,000 per year. The demand for specialists in this field is growing steadily.

Health Teacher

Health teachers help students understand how the body works and how to lead healthy lives. These teachers may offer general courses or may specialize in an area such as mental health, sexual health, physical fitness or disease prevention. Teachers in this field work with children, teens and adults in a variety of settings.

Typical Workplace Environment
Health teachers may work in public schools and universities, at community health centers, in hospitals and in the offices of medical providers. They may also participate in community outreach by visiting student’s homes and giving seminars at places of business.

Education/Training Requirements
Health teachers must hold at least a four-year degree in a public health-related field. Those teachers who want to work in universities and hospitals may be required to hold an MA or PhD in public health or a specialized health field. Many states also require educators to hold a teaching credential.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for health teachers vary significantly depending on geographic location and workplace environment. Most health teachers earn between $48,000 – $64,000 per year. Demand for health teachers is growing rapidly.

Disaster Preparedness Researcher

Disaster preparedness researchers are key members of emergency preparedness teams. They analyze historic information about disaster response and compile data about overall emergency preparedness in a given area. They are responsible for writing detailed reports to present to policy and management advisors.

Typical Workplace Environment
Disaster preparedness researchers work both for government agencies and private companies. They work out of traditional offices but conduct extensive research in the field. Disaster preparedness researchers who work at private companies may travel to satellite offices and other company facilities.

Education/Training Requirements
Most disaster preparedness researchers hold a B.A. degree in either public health or crisis and disaster management. Researchers may also hold degrees in criminal justice and police operations. In college, they must complete intensive statistics courses. Disaster preparedness researchers are also provided with extensive on-the-job training.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
The majority of disaster preparedness researchers earn between $45,000 – $60,000 per year. Senior researchers who work for private companies tend to earn more than those individuals employed by municipal and state governments. Demand for researchers in this field is growing at an above-average rate.

Public Health Journalist

Public health journalists are responsible for writing feature stories and articles about medical topics that are of interest to the general public. They communicate crucial information about new vaccinations and epidemics to a broad audience.

Typical Workplace Environment
Most public health journalists work for major newspapers, magazines and trade journals. Such journalists work out of an office and frequently visit hospitals, public health centers and research centers. Some public health journalists may work for private hospitals.

Education/Training Requirements
Public health journalists generally hold B.A. or M.A. degrees in journalism. They receive extensive, long-term training from their employers. Journalists who wish to work for magazines or trade journals are generally required to have some previous experience working for a newspaper.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Pay for public health journalists varies greatly depending on the type of publication for which they work. Salaries range from $28,000 to $55,000 per year. Demand for public health journalists is higher than demand for journalists in almost all other fields.

Medical Investigator

Medical investigators are responsible for collecting and examining evidence in order to determine the cause of death in criminal investigations. They may also be asked to investigate unattended deaths to determine if the individual died from natural causes. Medical investigators are required to keep thorough documentation to establish a chain of evidence.

Typical Workplace Environment
The majority of medical investigators work in medical examiner’s offices and forensics labs. They may be required to visit crime scenes in order to collect evidence and examine the deceased. They may be required to testify about evidence collection and handling in court.

Education/Training Requirements
Medical investigators generally hold four-year degrees in forensic science. Some medical investigators may be pre-med students who are working towards earning their medical degrees. Most medical investigators receive extensive on-the-job training.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
The salary range for medical investigators varies depending upon experience. Most individuals in these roles earn between $33,000 – $52,000 per year. The demand for medical investigators is projected to grow at the same rate as the demand for most other skilled professionals.

Hazardous Waste Inspector

Hazardous waste inspectors protect public health by conducting inspections at waste treatment facilities, evaluating waste handling practices and providing education to the public. They must have a strong understanding of local, state and federal laws governing hazardous waste handling and treatment standards.

Typical Workplace Environment
Hazardous waste inspectors work for municipal or government facilities and for private waste management facilities. They spend most of their time in such facilities or inspecting waste handling along the waste management and disposal route for a given area. Some hazardous waste inspectors also visit citizens in their communities to provide household waste handling training.

Education/Training Requirements
Most municipalities require that hazardous waste inspectors hold a four-year degree in environmental health, waste management, chemistry/toxicology or a closely related field. Inspectors must also have prior experience in the waste management field.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Hazardous waste inspectors earn salaries ranging from $37,000 – $43,000 per year. Those inspectors who work for the federal government generally receive compensation that is slightly higher. The demand for workers in this sector is expected to rise steadily until at least 2020.
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Master’s Degree Typically Required

Public Health Attorney

Public health attorneys work with local, state and national legislatures to craft policies, set regulations and pass laws governing public health standards. In addition, public health attorneys work as advocates for patients, balancing the public good against the individual’s rights. Some public health attorneys pursue lawsuits against organizations that violate public health standards.

Typical Work Environment
Most public health attorneys work out of an office; they may work for a government agency, a non-profit organization or even a traditional law firm. Occasionally, public health attorneys may work in the field or in the courtroom.

Education and Training Requirements
To become a public health attorney, an individual must hold a legal degree and be licensed to practice law in his or her jurisdiction. Additionally, a specialty in health law is helpful.

Salary Range and Employment Outlook
The annual salary of a public health attorney can range from $54,000 to $164,000 or even higher, depending on the employer and the attorney’s experience. Although there are many opportunities available in this field, competition for these jobs is high; job growth in this field is average.

Management Policy Advisor

Management policy advisors are responsible for analyzing management activity and suggesting policy changes at nonprofit and for-profit organizations, corporations and government bodies. Individuals in these roles are generally considered members of an executive leadership team.

Typical Workplace Environment
Most management policy advisors work in an office environment. They may work in health organizations, private corporations and at government agencies. Policy advisors are required to familiarize themselves with all branches of an organization or business. Some advisors travel extensively to visit satellite locations.

Education/Training Requirements
Management policy advisors generally hold an advanced degree in public health and have prior experience in leadership roles. They must have extensive experience in the public health field. Many policy advisors also hold MBA degrees.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for management policy advisors vary greatly depending upon workplace environment. Those individuals who work for federal agencies and private companies tend to earn significantly higher salaries than those individuals who work for nonprofit organizations. On the whole, salaries in this field range from $90,000 – $150,000 per year. Demand for talented management policy advisors is growing at an above-average rate.

Health Center Administrator

Health care administrators manage healthcare facilities or direct and coordinate healthcare services. Some health center administrators act as general managers while others manage specific departments within the centers.

Typical Workplace Environment
Nearly 40 percent of all health center administrators in the U.S. work at hospitals. Other common employers include doctors’ offices, nursing homes, home healthcare companies and outpatient clinics. Most health center administrators work full time and may be required to work overtime during the week or on weekends.

Education/Training Requirements
The minimum educational requirement for health center administrators is a bachelor’s degree, but most people employed in this position hold a master’s degree in healthcare administration, health services, public health or business administration. Some health centers may employ individuals based on past work experience in lieu of formal education.

Salary Range and Employment Outlook
In 2010, the median annual salary of health center administrators was $84,270. However, the lowest 10 percent earned $51,280 or less, and the top 10 percent earned $144,880 or more per year. The job market for health center administrators is expected to increase by 22 percent through the year 2020.

Director of Family Health Services

Directors of family health services are responsible for overseeing the operation of public family health centers. Individuals in these roles are required to manage facility finances, handle human resources issues and actively participate in long-term facility planning.

Typical Workplace Environment
Directors of family health services work in public and private family health centers. Directors spend time in health centers but complete the majority of their work in a traditional office environment.

Education/Training Requirements
Most directors of family health services hold an M.A. degree in public health. They must have extensive experience in health facilities management. Some individuals in these roles also hold advanced nursing degrees.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for directors of family health services are largely dependent upon the size of the facility and the geographic location in which such professionals work. Directors in these roles can earn anywhere between $70,000 – $125,000 per year. While demand for talented individuals in these roles remains steady, there are generally only a few openings for directors of health family services nationwide every year.

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians use mathematics and statistics in the research of life sciences, which may include disciplines such as public health, medicine and environmental science. The statistics used in the research are collected after developing scientific studies and obtaining data from their implementation.

Typical Workplace Environment
The largest employer of biostatisticians is the federal government. Other organizations employing biostatisticians include state and local governments, pharmaceutical companies and private research firms. Most biostatisticians work in offices or laboratories.

Education/Training Requirements
Although entry-level statistician jobs are available for those who earn a bachelor’s degree, most jobs require at least a master’s degree in mathematics, statistics or a discipline that requires strong research skills. Top jobs for biostatisticians require a Ph.D.

Salary Range and Employment Outlook
As of 2010, statisticians earn a median wage of $72,830. However, the lowest 10 percent earn less than $39,090, and the top 10 percent earn over $119,100. The job market for statisticians is expected to grow by 14 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is equivalent to the average growth of all jobs.

Legislative Policy Advisor

Legislative policy advisors use their medical and legal expertise to influence the politicians and organizations for whom they work. They are responsible for researching the benefits and drawbacks of legislation related to public health.

Typical Workplace Environment
Legislative policy advisors work for individual politicians, advocacy organizations and think tanks. The majority of their work is conducted in an office environment. They may also spend a great deal of time doing research in hospitals and law libraries.

Education/Training Requirements
Most legislative policy advisors hold an M.A. degree in public health. They must have extensive experience in either the public health or legal field prior to advancing into advisor roles. Many legislative policy advisors hold both advanced legal and medical training.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for legislative policy advisors vary greatly depending upon whether they work for nonprofit advocacy organizations or private groups and politicians. Salaries in this field range from $65,000 – $110,000. Demand for talented legislative policy advisors who specialize in public health is growing at a rapid rate.

Infection Preventionist

Infection Preventionists analyze data to determine whether a certain infection is likely to be an issue and work with the community to educate the public about infection prevention. They may be tasked with informing the public about the need for medications or immunizations that will help prevent infection before it spreads.

Typical Workplace Environment
Infection Preventionists generally work in the field in conjunction with the leaders of a community to help prevent the spread of infection.

Education/Training Requirements
Infection Preventionists are typically required to hold a master’s degree in public health from an accredited university. Some employers may even prefer to hire an Infection Preventionist who holds a doctorate in public health.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
The salary of an Infection Preventionist varies widely. The salary ranges from $40,000 – $100,000, and individuals who work in metropolitan areas and are employed by a government agency make the most. Demand for Infection Preventionists is projected to grow faster than other occupations.

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists are tasked with identifying public health problems and determining the cause of illness. Once they have determined the cause of the spread of an illness, epidemiologists report what they have found to officials who can then take steps to prevent any further spread of illness in the community.

Typical Workplace Environment
Epidemiologists tend to work in medical facilities including hospitals and laboratories. Any fieldwork done by these professionals involves examining illness in the community.

Education/Training Requirements
Epidemiologist are required to have a minimum of a master’s degree in epidemiology. Some employers required epidemiologists to hold a Ph.D. in the field.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
The salary for epidemiologists ranges from $42,000 – $98,300. Impacts on salary include the region and the population density of the area. Although most epidemiologists are full time employees with predictable work schedules, unexpected health concerns in the surrounding area can require a professional to work long hours.

Pharmacoepidemiologist

Pharmacoepidemiologists belong to a subset of epidemiologists, who are clinical researchers responsible for investigating the cause and spread of disease. Pharmacoepidemiologists incorporate the discipline of pharmacology into epidemiology in order to study the beneficial effects of drugs and their risks when administered to large groups of people.

Typical Workplace Environment
Over half of all pharmacoepidemiologists work for local, state and federal governments. Those that do not work for the government are employed by hospitals, universities, medical research firms and pharmaceutical companies.

Education/Training Requirements
Pharmacoepidemiologists require a master’s degree to be eligible for entry-level positions. Degrees in public health are common, but they may also be in epidemiology, pharmacology or another field that focuses on public health and biostatistics.

Salary Range and Employment Outlook
The median wage of pharmacoepidemiologists in 2010 was $63,010. However, the salaries of the middle 80 percent ranged from $42,360 to $98,380. Pharmacoepidemiologists working for private pharmaceutical companies earned the highest wages while those working for the government earned the least. Jobs for pharmacoepidemiologists are expected to grow by 24 percent through 2020.

Academic Policy Advisor

Academic policy advisors are responsible for making crucial decisions about health education programs. They are also required to allocate funds and may be required to assist in the preparation of grants.

Typical Workplace Environment
Academic policy advisors work for major health organizations, state and federal health departments, and universities. They spend the majority of their time working in their offices in an administrative capacity but periodically visit classrooms and public health centers.

Education/Training Requirements
The majority of academic policy advisors hold an MA degree in public health. Some individuals in these positions are also medical doctors who hold MD degrees. High-profile public health organizations may require policy advisors to have experience as practicing physicians.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for academic policy advisors vary significantly based upon experience, geographic location and the facility in which one is employed. The majority of individuals in these positions make between $52,000 – $85,000 per year. Demand for these professionals is growing more rapidly than demand for professionals in other sectors.

Public Health Consultant

Public health consultants work with governments and healthcare providers to design and implement public health policies. After helping to design new policies, they inspect local healthcare providers to determine the effectiveness of various policies. Additionally, they advise local providers on how to implement new policies.

Working Environment
Public health consultants spend most of their time working out of an office. However, they may spend part of their time touring hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities.

Education and Training Required
Public health consultants must possess advanced degrees; for most states, a master’s degree in a relevant subject is required. Relevant subjects include public health, counseling or public health administration; experience in a related field may be substituted for some education. No special training or certification is needed to become a public health consultant.

Salary Expectations and Opportunities
Public health consultants can expect to make between $40,000 and $80,000 per year, depending on education and experience. Consultants who find employment in the private sector may be able to earn more. Job growth for this position is average.

Emergency Preparedness and Bioterrorism Coordinator

Emergency preparedness and bioterrorism coordinators work with local health departments to ensure that sufficient staff are in place in case of bioterrorist attacks or public health emergencies. They work closely with policy advisors to implement emergency management plans and oversee staff training.

Typical Workplace Environment
Emergency preparedness and bioterrorism coordinators work in health departments and with government agencies. They split their time between a traditional office environment and the field.

Education/Training Requirements
Coordinators in these positions are generally required to hold an M.A. degree in public health. Some individuals who hold nursing degrees or B.A. degrees in public health qualify for these jobs so long as they also have at least two years of work experience in the emergency preparedness field.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
The salary range for emergency preparedness and bioterrorism coordinators varies significantly depending upon geographic area. Most individuals in these roles earn between $40,000 – $75,000 per year. Demand for emergency preparedness and bioterrorism coordinators is growing rapidly across the U.S.

Public Health Planner

Public health planners are responsible for compiling and analyzing statistics pertinent to public health issues. They are generally expected to oversee different divisions within public health departments and must secure funding for public health programs. Some public health planners specialize in a certain area such as sexual or mental health.

Typical Workplace Environment
Public health planners generally work in county- and state-level public health departments. They may also be employed by major hospitals and educational institutions.

Education/Training Requirements
All public health planners must hold at least a BA degree in public health or a closely related field. The majority of individuals in these positions also hold advanced degrees in public health, public health policy or urban planning. They must have some previous experience working in public health or urban planning.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for public health planners can vary significantly based on location. The majority of individuals in these positions make between $40,400 – $63,000. The demand for public health planners is expected to grow at a rate of 16 percent until at least 2020.
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Doctoral Degree Required

International HIV Specialist

International HIV Specialists work with patients who are infected with HIV to help them maintain a normal lifestyle. These individuals also have vast knowledge of the spread of HIV and are tasked with protecting the public by preventing the spread of the disease.

Typical Workplace Environment
International HIV Specialists typically work in a doctor’s office or hospital setting. These professionals may be required to work in the field to help prevent the outbreak of an infection.

Education/Training Requirements
The base academic requirement for International HIV Specialists is a medical degree. However, the designation of HIV specialist is only given once a doctor has completed a minimum of 30 credit hours of continuing medical education on the topic of HIV.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
International HIV Specialists receive a salary in the $100,000 – $500,000 range. Salary is based on experience, area and type of employer. International HIV Specialists working for the government to assist with public health concerns make a median salary of approximately $175,000 per year. Job growth is expected to be average.

Public Health Dentist

Public Health Dentists contribute a wide range of knowledge to the community regarding oral health. They provide dental care at clinics, consult community-based dental programs, advise in forming oral policy and educate the public about oral health.

Typical Workplace Environment
Public Health Dentists spend most of their time in meetings or in the clinic, depending on their seniority. They can be found in universities, health centers, clinics and public health departments.

Education/Training Requirements
Senior Public Health Dentists must have a doctorate degree in dental surgery or medicine. They should also have a license to practice. Additionally, some Public Health Dentists obtain a Master’s in Public Health degree. However, becoming a hygienist does not require a 4-year college degree.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries range from $30,000 for hygienists to over $250,000 for more senior positions. Salaries vary by education and experience. Demand for Public Health Dentists is expected to increase faster than average.

Corporate Medical Director

Corporate Medical Directors oversee the health of a corporation’s employees and employ measures to prevent injury and spread of sickness. They deal with a wide range of occupational settings, including offices and factories. They also work to address a variety of issues like air quality and injury prevention.

Typical Workplace Environment
Corporate Medical Directors usually can be found in office and industrial settings. They can be conducting meetings, reading reports, working with office or factory designers and meeting with employees.

Education/Training Requirements
Corporate Medical Directors should have an M.D. and around 10 years of medical experience prior to being promoted to such a title. Board certification within a specialty may be required, depending on the setting.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries range from $120,000 to $236,000 or more based on the size and scope of the employer. Demand for Corporate Medical Directors is strong, with the insurance, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and healthcare industries fueling growth.

Public Health Physician

Public health physicians focus on ensuring that quality medical care is available to all members of the general public by conducting research, teaching health classes and handling leadership duties. They also work directly with patients to diagnose illnesses. Many public health physicians are considered preventative medicine physicians.

Typical Workplace Environment
Public health physicians work at hospitals, public health facilities, universities and government agencies. Most public health physicians spend about 50 percent of their time working in their offices and 50 percent of their time interacting with the public at medical facilities.

Education/Training Requirements
Public health physicians must hold medical degrees. They are generally required to be board-certified preventative medicine specialists. Some public health physicians hold an M.A. degree in public health.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for public health physicians vary somewhat depending upon geographic location and previous experience in this field. Most public health physicians earn between $150,000 – $200,000 per year. Demand for public health physicians is projected to grow at an above-average rate until at least 2020.

Tropical Disease Specialist

Tropical Disease Specialists assist with maintaining the health of the general population by preventing the spread of tropical diseases. Tropical diseases are often highly infectious and can put the public in danger, so Tropical Disease Specialists are essential public health professionals.

Typical Workplace Environment
Tropical Disease Specialists typically work in the field examining patients who have recently traveled abroad or have been in contact with someone who has traveled to a tropical location. These professionals may also work in a laboratory to analyze samples.

Education/Training Requirements
Most Tropical Disease Specialists are doctors, so a medical degree is required for this specialization. Additional knowledge pertinent to the cause and spread of tropical diseases in particular is necessary. Tropical Disease Specialists may enroll in coursework specific to tropical diseases during medical school.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
The salary for Tropical Disease Specialists ranges from $115,000 to $190,000. Professionals who work in large metropolitan areas for government agencies tend to make more than those employed by medical offices in suburban areas.

Public Health Veterinarian

Public health veterinarians work with federal and local government agencies, hospitals, legislators and the general public to monitor, control, prevent and reduce both human and animal illness. Acting as researchers, pathologists, epidemiologists and other specialists, they investigate and monitor outbreaks of diseases that animals can transmit to humans such as rabies, malaria, Ebola and West Nile virus. They may also monitor farm and processing plant environments as well as the safety and quality of animal-derived medicines, cosmetics and food products.

Typical Workplace Environment
Public health veterinarians may work in a clinic, office, laboratory or outdoor environment exclusively, or they may perform duties in a variety of settings. Some may be required to travel.

Education/Training Requirements
A position as a public health veterinarian typically requires both a doctor of veterinary medicine and master of public health degree.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
The average median salary range for public health veterinarians is $100,000 – $150,000. The demand for these specialists is expected to increase significantly over the next decade.

Bioterrorism Researcher

Bioterrorism researchers work with state and federal agencies to identify biological pathogens, develop means to diagnose new diseases and evaluate how quickly new treatments can be developed following a bioterrorist attack. They analyze both known toxins and predict the types of toxins that might be used in future attacks.

Typical Workplace Environment
Most bioterrorism researchers work in a laboratory environment. The majority of researchers in this field are employed at major government health organizations. Some bioterrorism researchers may work in private laboratories or in university research settings.

Education/Training Requirements
Bioterrorism researchers are generally required to hold a doctoral degree in immunology, microbiology, virology, genetics or a related field. Many professionals in this field also hold M.A. degrees in public health.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salaries for bioterrorism researchers vary significantly according to experience level and geographic location. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the salary range for such jobs runs between $40,000 – $150,000 per year. Increases in funding for bioterrorism research have led to an increased demand for specialists in this field.

Vaccine Researcher

Vaccine research requires the work of people in several different positions in the healthcare field, including medical doctors, medical scientists, microbiologists, and clinical lab technicians. Vaccine researchers act together to improve existing vaccines and create new ones that are capable of preventing viral diseases.

Typical Workplace Environment
Nearly all vaccine researchers work in laboratory settings for various organizations. Most conduct their research for private medical and pharmaceutical companies. Other vaccine researchers work for universities, the government or general hospitals. Specific duties and work environments depend on the role and occupation of the individual.

Education/Training Requirements
Most positions as vaccine researchers require doctoral degrees, such as an M.D. or Ph.D. in one of the biological sciences. Some employers may require that researchers hold both an M.D. and a Ph.D.

Salary Range and Employment Outlook
In 2010, the median salary of vaccine researchers was $76,700. However, some vaccine researchers made less than $41,560 and others made more than $142,800. The growth rate for jobs as vaccine researchers is one of the highest in the country. Job opportunities are expected to increase by 36 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Outcomes Researcher

Outcomes researchers study the effectiveness of health care practices and programs. They analyze both how well treatments worked and the quality of life that patients enjoyed after receiving such treatments. Outcomes researchers compile and analyze their collected data for presentation to health facility boards and stakeholders.

Typical Workplace Environment
Most outcomes researchers work out of offices in hospitals and public health facilities. While they do spend time gathering data in the field, they spend the vast majority of their workday analyzing collected data using special computer programs.

Education/Training Requirements
Outcomes researchers must be familiar with public health issues, medical practices and statistical analysis. As such, they are generally required to hold a doctorate degree in epidemiology or public health. They must have training in outcomes research, which is usually gained by working in a university research laboratory.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Most outcomes researchers are classified as health scientists or statisticians. Salaries for these jobs range between $85,000 – $134,000 per year. Demand for researchers, especially in federally run agencies, is increasing steadily.

Mental Health Researcher

Mental Health Researchers explore how mental health interacts with people and environment. They examine the roots, prevention and treatment of mental conditions with respect to the public and promote awareness within the community.

Typical Workplace Environment
Mental Health Researchers largely spend their time conducting research, both observing in the field and conducting experiments. Researchers also meet with community groups and related consultants to discuss findings and plan future research topics.

Education/Training Requirements
Mental Health Researchers have at least a Master’s degree, with most having a Ph.D. or M.D. Through obtaining these advanced degrees, Mental Health Researchers develop the research and communication skills required to study mental health.

Salary Range & Employment Outlook
Salary can range from $53,000 to $110,000, depending largely on seniority and place of employment. Employment for Mental Health Researchers exists if the proposed research topics warrant funding.

Behavior Scientist

Behavior science is a wide discipline that includes psychologists, cognitive scientists and social neuroscientists. Behavior scientists focusing on public health study how people interact with each other, and they seek to discover the processes behind the decisions made by people.

Typical Workplace Environment
Approximately 34 percent of behavior scientists are self-employed, and the majority of them are psychologists. Nearly 30 percent work for schools or educational services while 20 percent work for the healthcare industry.

Education/Training Requirements
Most behavior scientists hold some form of doctoral degree, which may include a Ph.D. in psychology or a related discipline or a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) degree. However, some behavior scientists working in technical capacities may be able to find jobs with a master’s degree. Most states require that behavior scientists are licensed or certified.

Salary Range and Employment Outlook
The median annual wage of behavior scientists in 2010 was $68,640. However, the bottom 10 percent earned less than $39,200, and the top 10 percent earned over $111,810. Growth in this field is expected to increase by 22 percent through 2020.

Professor of Public Health

Professors of public health have a major impact on public health because they are responsible for teaching future public health workers. The duties of a professor of public health include lecturing, grading papers and preparing course materials.

Typical Workplace Environment
Professors of public health work at public and private colleges and universities.

Education and Training Required
Education requirements for professors of public health vary. Some community colleges may require only a master’s degree while many universities require a Ph.D.

Typical Salary Range and Job Outlook
Professors of public health receive anywhere from $40,000 to over $100,000 per year. Their salaries depend on many factors including the location and type of school at which they’re employed. For example, private universities generally pay more than public universities. The salary of a professor of public health will also depend upon whether he or she is a full, associate, assistant or adjunct professor. As with most health-related jobs, the employment outlook for professors of public health is excellent.

The TED Talks series is driven by the desire to bring important and inspiring ideas to the broader public. Here are ten of the most popular TED Talks related to public health.

#1. Bill Davenhall – Your Health Depends on Where You Live

Attention to the environmental aspects of health has been a staple of the public health movement from the beginning. In this fascinating talk, Bill Davenhall explores the possibilities for meshing geographic and demographic data with medical records to improve individual and community health outcomes.

#2. Vic Stretcher – What Inspires True Behavioral Change?

A good coach can make all the difference to the success of an individual or a team. In this 2009 TEDMED talk, University of Michigan Public Health professor Vic Stretcher discusses how personalized digital coaching can help inspire lasting change behavior leading to greater personal and public health.

#3. Sanjay Gupta – What Did We Learn in Haiti?

There is no teacher like direct experience. Speaking live from Haiti via satellite during the 2010 cholera outbreak, neurosurgeon and head CNN medical corespondent Sanjay Gupta talks about public health lessons learned from the experiences of this impoverished and disaster-plagued country.

#4. Rebecca Onie – Can We Rewrite the DNA of Healthcare?

Ensuring community residents have access to the social services and healthcare they need to lead healthy lives is central to the public health task. In this talk, Health Leads co-founder Rebecca Onie discusses how her organization helps bring social services and healthcare together to better meet the needs of communities.

#5. Marc Koska – What’s the Point of a Syringe that Breaks?

The reuse of dirty syringes is among the biggest contemporary threats to public health. In this eye-opening presentation, Mark Koska OEB, inventor of an Auto Disable (AD) syringe that physically prevents it from being re-used and has been credited with saving over nine million lives to date, demonstrates the ongoing dangers of syringe re-use around the world and discusses his work on the problem.

#6. Peter Daszak – What Diseases Come From Animals?

The links between ecology and public health are numerous but only recently receiving the attention they deserve. In this fascinating talk, Peter Daszak, a disease ecologist and president of The EcoHealth Alliance, discusses the spread of pathogens from animals to humans as a result of human actions in our shared ecosystem–with live animal cameos!

#7. Clifton Leaf – How Do We Change the War on Cancer?

Accurate dissemination of health information is key to public health efforts. Award winning health journalist and lecturer Clifton Leaf discusses the ways in which statistical information about cancer is frequently misreported and misunderstood on a grand scale and how this skews efforts to respond to the disease.

#8. Elizabeth Pisani – Sex, Drugs, and HIV: Let’s Get Rational

HIV and AIDS remain a global public health crisis of staggering proportions. Self-described “public health nerd” and pioneering researcher Elizabeth Pisani offers her intelligent and witty take on the ways in which our political systems get in the way of effectively stopping the spread of AIDS.

#9. Dan Buettner – What if it’s the Environment Stupid?

What is it about environments and behaviors that contribute to better health and longer lives? Researcher, explorer, and best-selling author Dan Buettner discusses the answers to these questions discovered throughout his travels and research, as well as the challenges, and successes, in getting them adopted in the United States.

#10. Laurie Garrett – Lessons from the 1918 Flu

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it, the saying goes. Pulitzer Prize winning author and public health expert Laurie Garrett looks to the pandemics of the past for lessons on how to deal with those of the future.

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The late 20th and early 21st centuries may have brought cures for many diseases, but they have also brought their fair share of new threats to public health. In an age that has witnessed the rise of international travel, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the heavy use of chemicals, it seems there are more vectors for worldwide health crises than ever. And although there have been numerous unfounded health scares, there have been several whose dangers were only too real. Wash your hands thoroughly and stock up on the penicillin as we list the most serious public health scares ever.

10. H5N1 (Bird Flu)

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H5N1, or “bird flu,” has appeared sporadically in poultry populations for over forty years, but it wasn’t until 2004 that it first hit the headlines as a human pandemic. The outbreak originated in Vietnam and Thailand’s poultry industries and comprised a new, fast-mutating strain that was frequently fatal in humans. Some experts predicted that the disease would evolve into a more dangerous form that could lead to mass human infections. Fortunately this didn’t take place, but 566 confirmed cases and 322 deaths still resulted, and 400 million poultry were killed worldwide, either by the disease itself or in a cull to prevent the spread of the virus. Although the outbreak is no longer the focus of media attention, a steady trickle of deaths is still being reported in many parts of the world, including China and Indonesia.

9. HIV/AIDS

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The Human Immunodeficiency Virus was arguably the most devastating pandemic of the 20th century. Since it was heralded as an epidemic in 1981, HIV/AIDS has killed over 25 million people, infected around 0.6% of the world’s population, and prompted numerous multimillion-dollar public health campaigns to contain it. When the condition was first discovered, the backlash against the gay and drug-using communities (who were at the highest risk of contracting the disease) was very high, and experts gloomily predicted that it would decimate entire populations. Despite these predictions not being fulfilled in Europe, AIDS continues to destroy countless lives in Africa, with some regions suffering an infection rate of up to 25%.

8. MRSA

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MRSA is a particularly serious problem for hospitals: a strain of common bacterium that has evolved to be flesh eating, virulent and highly resistant to antibiotics. Victims frequently suffer from wounds or sores that fail to heal, rashes and secondary infections, with a death rate of 20-50 percent depending on the strain. MRSA is most common in hospitals, which contain a high volume of people with compromised or weakened immune systems who are highly vulnerable to the disease. On the other hand, it’s potentially one of the easiest public health problems to eliminate at the source: experts say that doctors following proper hygiene procedures at all times could greatly reduce the number of cases.

7. SARS

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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a flu-like virus discovered in 2002 that quickly made the headlines for its gruesomely high mortality rate (especially among the elderly) and its potential for causing a pandemic. The disease emerged from the Guangdong province of China and spread quickly through air travel, eventually infecting nearly 8,500 people across the world. Only effective quarantines and screening of air passengers by several different governments brought the disease under control, but not before it claimed 916 lives.

6. Ingested Plastic e.g. BPA

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Another insidious health risk we’ve seen in recent years comes not just from our food and drink, but also from the very containers that we use to serve them. Many of us drink from plastic bottles and cups that contain harmful substances like phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA). Research has shown that sufficiently hot or acidic drinks can break down the integrity of these containers and cause them to leak into the bottle, causing them to be consumed. These chemicals can have effects ranging from obesity and an imbalance of hormone levels in the body, to the damaging of growth and development in children. Prof Dr Mustafa Ali Mohd, head of the Shimadzu-Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) center for xenobiotic studies, has even called for plastics to be immediately banned and replaced with paper for certain drinks.

5. Thalidomide

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Thalidomide was created by a German pharmaceutical company in the late 1950s as a tranquilizer intended to prevent women from suffering from morning sickness. Sadly, it turned out to have a devastating side effect: children who were exposed to the medicine in the womb often developed birth defects, which included missing and shortened limbs and facial deformities. This was eventually revealed to be a result of a chemical that inhibits growth: since most women took the medicine in the first three months of pregnancy, it often led to body parts failing to form properly. An estimated 10 to 20 thousand infants were affected before Thalidomide was banned in the early 1960s, although the drug is still controversially used today to treat illnesses such as leprosy and some cancers.

4. Mad Cow Disease/BSE

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Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy is a disease of the nervous system in cattle and is caused by proteins called prions infecting the brain. The disease devastated the UK’s beef industry in the late 1980s and early 1990s, leading to a ban on exporting the meat for years. To make matters worse, BSE-infected beef turned out to cause a strain of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans: the outbreak killed around 200 people in cases around the world and may eventually kill many more because of the disease’s long incubation period. Sadly, the crisis was caused by human error: cattle being fed infected carcasses led to the disease spreading, then lax slaughtering practices caused nervous tissue to be mixed with lower-quality meat products like hamburgers, allowing it to infect humans.

3. DDT

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In the interests of controlling one menace to society, there is always the risk of creating another, perhaps greater, danger. That was the case with DDT, a powerful insecticide used on crops, which was said to have potentially catastrophic effects on the environment and public health. Since the metabolized chemicals in DDT can damage human hormones, the effect of the insecticide was to increase the risk of premature birth or low birth weight in babies whose mothers were exposed to it. The chemical also persisted in the ecosystem, which could cause a dangerous build-up in animals higher up the food chain. In the 1970s and 80s the chemical was banned as a pesticide in most countries, although it continues to be used in India and North Korea.

2. Asbestos

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Asbestos is a set of silicate minerals found in nature and composed of long, thin fibrous strands. It was commonly used as both insulation and fireproof material from the industrial revolution onwards, so it was a nasty shock to architects when they learned that breathing in fibers from the material could lead to serious pulmonary diseases, including cancer. During the 1970s, a convergence of factors, including large numbers of asbestos products on the market, factories polluting local neighborhoods and workers suffering heavy rates of exposure, combined to cause general uproar. Since most of the diseases caused by asbestos have a latency period of anything up to 50 years, many of them are only just showing up on death statistics now, but it is estimated that approximately 10,000 people die of asbestos related causes in the US per year.

1. MMR Jab/Autism Link

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It’s said that health scares can cause more trouble than the actual health risk itself, and that was definitely true of the backlash against the Measles, Mumps and Rubella jab. The MMR was a combined vaccination against childhood diseases introduced in 1988. Ten years later, a medical researcher named Andrew Wakefield published a paper that suggested a link between the injection and certain forms of autism. The tremendous backlash against the vaccine that followed lowered immunization rates from 92 percent to 73 percent in the UK and may have led to a number of measles deaths amongst children. An investigation later revealed that Wakefield had been paid more than $630,000 to find a link between the vaccine and condition, and that he may have fabricated some or all of his research. A truly infamous case of a health scare that caused more damage than the problem it was meant to address.

In the wake of Fukushima, it has become clear that people need good information in order to confront public health disasters. A primer on ways to protect your home and family from radioactive contamination in the wake of a nuclear incident can be found at the blog Top Masters in Health Care, 15 Ways to Limit Radiation Exposure. A fun infographic at the Best Health Degrees blog prints out to make a good quick reference info-sheet to keep in the family emergency kit for use whenever you suspect contamination may be headed your way from any source. Another good source is Natural Ways to Mitigate Radiation Damage, with information about how to ensure that radioactive contaminates you may be exposed to do the least amount of damage if they get inside your body.

* EPA Decontamination Techniques is something that should be read carefully before attempting to decontaminate your own property.

There will come a time after carefully sheltering-in-place (or evacuating) during a radiological emergency, and ensuring you and your family have done all you can to boost your cellular repair and immune systems as well as ‘pack’ your systems and/or eliminate accumulated radioisotopes, you are informed by authorities that the radiological emergency is ‘over’ and everything is fine. This is when thoughts of decontamination of your environment come to the fore, and that will take careful consideration, planning, and commitment.

In a real radiological emergency involving melting, exploding and/or burning nuclear plants or weapons explosions in the atmosphere involving fallout plumes, things aren’t automatically “fine” just because the source has stopped dumping. Iodine-131 will decay away in about 3 months, but those other limiting isotopes like cesium-137 and strontium-90 won’t be ‘gone’ for at least 300 years. The heavy metal fuel, steel and rust isotopes that have been dumped will be hanging around in the environment for thousands (or millions) of years. Bringing your property back to a semblance of non-radioactive normalcy, is a lot of hard work.

The very first thing to bear in mind about individual (i.e., non-professional) decontamination efforts is that simply by doing the work you will inevitably stir up more radiation than you want to be exposed to after the danger is supposedly passed. So you will not only have to remember and put to use both the housecleaning aspects of ‘shelter-in-place’ all over again to keep it out of your living space, and keep up your anti-radiation damage dietary regimen, you will have to go ahead and get an ample supply of coverall clothing, latex and cotton gloves, hoods/hats, breathing filtration masks, etc. to use while you do the decontamination work.

It is a good idea to convert an area of your garage into a “step-off” pad and decon area, more important now than during your sheltering days. An exterior type shower rig is necessary, along with some kind of slick-surfaced enclosure with a drain – the shower area will need regular decontamination too, so make it easy. You can use a hose with a shower-type nozzle, coil it in the warm air so the water is warm if you can. Do NOT use hot water to scrub down after working in a contaminated area, as you will want to avoid breathing steam that will have isotopes of contamination in it. Keep a good supply of scouring pads for thoroughly cleaning feet/legs and hands/arms. Lye soap for the purpose is also recommended – you can apply moisturizers later indoors.

Shelves for equipment, ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ bins for clothing and trash (with lids and liner bags), coat hooks on the door wall for hanging less contaminated outer clothing and hats, etc. After you have moved dirt, power-washed any surfaces, dug and concentrated any growing things, etc. you will have to thoroughly decontaminate YOURSELF before returning to your indoor environment. Don’t forget those charcoal and fine particle filters on your air circulation devices either. You’re going to need a lot of borax, so stock up. The bigger boxes are often available inexpensively from Dollar Stores, buy several at a time. Other useful products for decontamination of surfaces that are to be washed include powdered chlorine bleach, laundry soda and scouring powders. You will also wish to find a source for zeolite and/or bentonite (Fullers Earth clay) in bulk, and will probably need several big rolls of porous landscaping fabric.

Most of all, if you have young children, do NOT allow them outside to play in the yard any time you are or have just finished with any decontamination job. Still carry them to and from the car when going places, so their nose and mouth are not closer to the ground than yours. Do continue pet precautions as well, as anything you stir up is going to end up in them if you aren’t careful.

NOTE: No one should attempt to undertake a significant environmental decontamination effort if they do not have a good beta-gamma radiation detector. First, you won’t know what needs decontamination if you don’t know where the contamination is, and second you will want to stay aware daily of levels you’ve stirred up or the success of your efforts. New, compact models start at less than $200 and are adequate for the job, come with ample instructions on use so that you don’t end up contaminating the meter so it can no longer give an accurate read.

Do not begin your decontamination efforts until radiation levels on your property are ‘normal’ except at ground level, on surfaces, and along drainage pathways. It can take many months’ worth of rains to get contaminates out of the air and onto the surface, as well as naturally beginning to concentrate along drainage pathways, into plants, and such enough for you to be able to tell what needs doing. Avoid using cleaning agents and/or solvents that are themselves serious chemical pollutants. If your property is contaminated enough to require such agents, you should not be contemplating doing the job yourself.

1. Remove all contaminated landscaping plants close to your building’s foundations, along with all ground cover plants out to a distance of at least 6 feet. After surveying the ground remaining, you may also wish to remove it to a depth of a foot or more. After removing dirt, cover the bottom of the excavated area with landscaping fabric and a layer of zeolite, Fullers clay or boron mixed with clay if it is still reading above background before you put in uncontaminated fill. You can leave the area bare and mulched, or replant with a low-growing non-climbing ground cover. Avoid replanting shrubs, as these have deeper root systems and will tend to draw contamination in lower soil levels into themselves, thus exacerbating your original problems. It may look bare for some time, but that is preferable to contamination so close to your house.

2. Do the same type of excavation of sod and/or plants around your heat pump if your house uses one, and the entire area underneath children’s play areas and seating areas that are not on solid surfaces. Do cover the ground at depth with porous landscaping cloth and fill with clean, heavy bark mulch or pea gravel to keep contamination away from the pump’s air flow. Solid surfaces – sidewalks, patios, etc. – should be power washed with boron water after digging out the ground around them out to a couple of feet. Once they are decontaminated, cover the excavated ground with landscaping cloth, a layer of zeolite clay mixed with rock dust, then fill with heavy bark mulch or pea gravel.

3. After several months’ of rain you should find that contamination has collected beneath drainspouts and along drainage depressions through and along your property. You will want to excavate these areas as well and use heavy mulch to keep the subsurface dirt from rising to the surface where it can dry out and become airborne. Drainage pathways at the edge of yards and gardens can be helped by planting “super-absorber” plants such as horseradish. Low-lying, marshy areas may benefit from planting willows, as willows grow fast and absorb some radioisotopes. Annual or perennial plants such as horseradish can be carefully dug out every year or two and replanted until such time as they no longer produce a beta-gamma reading above background. If you have any grazing animals they must be kept away from these areas for the entire time remediation is ongoing. Children should not be allowed to play in these areas either.

4. If your entire yard is contaminated, you can go ahead and excavate it in sections, lay the landscaping cloth, fill with clean dirt/compost on top of clay or pea gravel and replant or re-sod. If you re-sod use a radiologically ‘clean’ high quality sod with a thick root-mat to help keep that contaminated subsoil from resurfacing over time. Or eliminate most of your green lawn entirely by planting regionally adapted cultivars in pleasing landscape designs (a practice known as xeriscaping). This will save water as well as lots of time and effort mowing and such. In contaminated areas it could be your best choice.

ALL plants, sod, shrubs, etc. removed from your property should be properly disposed of in a landfill, never burned, chipped as mulch or composted. You may not wish to cut down any larger trees on your property, so just be aware that leaf fall should be dealt with in season as contaminated material. Bag it and take it to the landfill, do not compost it or use as mulch. Never burn them.

5. If you are a vegetable gardener, excavate your beds, line them as above, and install raised beds with entirely clean soil/compost. Do test your produce with your trusty beta-gamma meter before eating any of it, cut open tomatoes, squash, peppers, cukes and melons before testing. Be aware that berries and fast growing greens like lettuce, kale, spinach and such easily absorb contamination from soil and water. You may find that a greenhouse with well-raised beds may be the best way to produce your own food. Do not line dry your laundry at any time during decontamination spraying or excavation to avoid getting contamination on your clean clothes.

Things to remember during the entire time of decontamination -

• Always wear clean coveralls, hat and breathing mask when doing the work, use cloth tape to cinch around wrist-to-glove and pant leg-to-boots to prevent dust from getting inside. Pull-on rubber galoshes are most useful foot covering, fairly easy to clean.

• Always carefully bag and hamper contaminated clothing, towels, washcloths & scrubs, etc. Wear a breathing mask when doing the laundry too, and wash your hands/arms well after handling the soiled clothing.

• Keep outdoor work shoes, boots and galoshes outside the exterior door. Here the value of rubber galoshes becomes obvious – hose them off well before removing. Protect by putting them in a box if you do not have a roofed porch.

• Always shower – scrubbing well with soap – in cold or lukewarm water before entering the house from your garage decon area. Put towels and such in the ‘hot’ hamper.

• Keep your windows closed and use fine filters on your air circulation/AC units during decontamination outdoors, follow the “shelter in place” guidelines for airborne contaminates.

So long as your property is not so seriously contaminated that it requires professional decontamination or abandonment, these methods should work well to eliminate what has accumulated during the emergency – or at least keep it well underground and not readily percolated to the surface. It takes time and some very hard work, so unless you are committed to following through you may have to consider whether it’s worth the trouble. Relocation is always an option if need be, and one should consider the proximity of the source. A nearby nuclear plant is entirely likely to release contaminates on a semi-regular basis (or a constant basis following serious accident), and longer lived isotopes levels will forever be cumulative – i.e., will continue to build up over time.

Knowledge about radiation, contamination, and ways of protecting yourself, your family and your property can help dispel irrational fears and alleviate high stress levels that can be as damaging to health as the radiation itself. Unfortunately the truth about releases, isotopes and contamination levels is not easy to come by. Both governments and corporate nuclear concerns are well known to either lie blatantly about dangers or simply keep dangerous secrets that would prevent the public from knowing there is reason to take proper precautions. That is why your radiation meter is your best friend – no one can pull the wool over your eyes if you can measure the levels of radiation and contamination for yourself. If you do happen to live close to any type of nuclear facility, develop the habit of taking measurements regularly so you can be forewarned of problems when they occur.

Some useful Info-Links

EPA Decontamination Techniques

Japan AEC: Remediation of Affected Areas

Phytoremediation: Plants that help eliminate radiation in soil

Things you can do to remediate radioactive contamination

How To Decontaminate Water After Fallout

Detoxifying Clothes and Bedding