Public Health

Along with interest in pursuing the main professions listed at left, many Bryn Mawr students are interested in the field of public health, which is a dynamic, interdisciplinary profession that addresses health care issues at the community level through research, education, public policy, and health care management and administration.

Because the field of public health encompasses such a range of services and responsibilities, graduate schools of public health are interested in applicants with a variety of undergraduate majors. Almost any undergraduate course of study will prepare you to enter at least one of the public health specialties.

The core areas in public health study are*:

Behavioral Science/Health Education: the development of methods, skills and program strategies to help people maintain healthier lifestyles; the design and implementation of programs that affect health.

Biostatistics: the application of statistical procedures, techniques, and methodology to characterize or investigate health problems.

Emergency Medical Services: the administration of emergency response procedures including training, licensing, quality control, access, research, or disaster preparedness.

Environmental Health: the assessment of the impact of environmental factors on community health.

Epidemiology: the systematic study of the distribution and determination of disease or disability in population groups.

Health Services Administration/Management: the application of business, policy, and science to manage resources and the delivery of public health services.

International/Global Health: the effort to improve health standards in developing countries using the skills and techniques of all public health specialties.

Maternal and Child Health: the integration of many fields in public health to focus on the needs of women and children.

Nutrition: the study of the interaction between nutrients, nutrition and health and the application of sound nutritional principles to maintain good health.

Public Health Laboratory Practice: the application of basic science and laboratory research to help with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases in communities.

Public Health Policy: the effort to effect legislation about public health issues from local governments to international policy making organizations.

*The above summaries are adapted from the Association of Schools of Public Health.

Make an appointment with Assistant Dean Gail G. Glicksman to discuss your prehealth pathway: gglicksman@brynmawr.edu; 610-526-7350.