phd in health promotion salary

University Catalog 2023-2024

Health education and promotion - ph.d..

About This Program

Elevate your career with the Health Education Ph.D. program. With experienced faculty, a flexible curriculum and opportunities for research and practical experience, you'll be prepared for leadership roles in the field. Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: Laurie M. Wagner, MCHES | [email protected] | 330-672-0685
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Education teachers, postsecondary.

• 4.8% about as fast as the average
• 77,300 number of jobs
• $65,440 potential earnings

Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education

• 3.6% about as fast as the average
• 627,100 number of jobs
• $60,810 potential earnings

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

• 3.8% about as fast as the average
• 1,050,800 number of jobs
• $62,870 potential earnings

Accreditation

National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education

* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website . For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website .

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university 1
• Minimum 2.750 graduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale (minimum 3.500 GPA is recommended)
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or vita
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
• Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
• Minimum 77 MELAB score
• Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
• Minimum 58 PTE score
• Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score

The college will assess health education and promotion applicants holistically, considering academic credentials, related professional experiences, academic or professional references, scholarly activities and professional activities, among others.

Students who are admitted to the Ph.D. degree without an equivalent master's degree in health education and promotion may be required to complete additional coursework, which will not be counted towards the degree.

Application Deadlines

• Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Licensure information.

Students choose an area of specialization—such as school health, sexuality or substance abuse prevention—as developed with advisory phase committee.

Upon admission to candidacy, each doctoral candidate must register for HED 80199 . It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter HED 80299 , each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. Students should consult their advisors for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Assess needs, assets and capacity for health education.
• Plan health education and promotion activities.
• Implement health education and promotion programs.
• Conduct program evaluation and research in health education.
• Serve as health education resource person.
• Administer and manage health education.
• Communicate and advocate for health and health education.

Full Description

Professional licensure disclosure.

The Ph.D. degree in Health Education and Promotion emphasizes the interaction among the theoretical, empirical and applied nature of health education. Health education borrows from many disciplines, including community organization, education, medicine, biological science, psychology, statistics and communication.

Although the program is designed for health educators, applicants are drawn from a variety of fields, including health education, nursing, nutrition, the medical technologies and social sciences. The program is particularly appropriate for those seeking employment in higher education or career advancement within the broad scope of health education. Graduates work in schools, higher education, government agencies, hospitals and non-profit agencies.

State/Federal background checks may be required for practicum/internship experiences.

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure .

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Health Promotion Specialist Salary in the United States

Health promotion specialist salary.

How much does a Health Promotion Specialist make in the United States? The average Health Promotion Specialist salary in the United States is $79,215 as of March 26, 2024, but the salary range typically falls between $68,630 and $90,933 . Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education , certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

Department of Allied Health Sciences

Health promotion sciences, a doctoral or master's program that works for you—and with you.

Our PhD and Master's programs prepare students to lead as interdisciplinary researchers and practitioners who:

• advance our understanding of the complex factors that influence health behavior
• apply principles and practices of health promotion and health behavior change in diverse settings
• develop innovative solutions to address current and emerging health challenges and disparities.

Our students learn from and work closely with graduate faculty, including leading experts in h ealth behavior change interventions;  promotion of healthy diet and physical activity across the lifespan; a pplication of cutting-edge genetics and genomics research to healthcare issues;  utilizing mobile and other new technologies, social media, and web-based interventions to modify health behaviors; and  varied quantitative and qualitative research methods, including statistical modeling, randomized trials, meta-analyses, and epidemiology.

Both programs provide students with the flexibility to design a customized plan of study that is uniquely suited to their interests and career objectives.  Graduate Research and/or Teaching Assistantships that provide a stipend, tuition waiver, and health benefits are available on a competitive basis.

MS in Health Promotion Sciences

The two-year Master’s in Health Promotion Sciences program will prepare you to make critical contributions to future of health research, community health outcomes, and evidence-based health interventions. Master’s graduates develop competencies in health promotion, health education, and behavioral health to enhance the health of the population at the local, national, and global levels. With the skills and interdisciplinary knowledge you develop through your coursework, relationships with faculty mentors, and real-world research experience, you will leave ready for an impactful career in public health, community-based treatment and healthcare fields, worksites, and clinical and research settings, or for continuation into a PhD program.

Recommended Preparation

Applicants should already have in hand or be nearing completion of a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. Ideally, the applicant’s academic record will include strong preparation in the sciences as well as research and/or volunteer experience that contributes to his/her professional and career interests in health promotion sciences. Successful MS applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale); strong recommendations from advisors and others familiar with their academic work and potential; and research interests that match with our graduate faculty. A personal statement is a required element of the admissions application . Applicants may choose to additionally submit a sample research paper or abstract.

Program Overview

In consultation with your faculty advisor, you will design a plan of study to meet your professional, educational, and scholarly goals. Two tracks are available:

• Thesis Track (Plan A) emphasizes research and requires the completion of a research project and submission of a thesis. 30 total credits.
• Project & Practicum Track (Plan B) emphasizes comprehensive understanding of health promotion, health education, and behavior change, primarily through advanced coursework and the completion of a project and practicum. 32 total credits.

Both tracks require the completion of core coursework including:

• Health Promotion (minimum 9 credits)
• Research (minimum 9 credits)
• Electives (minimum 3 credits)

View all Graduate Program Courses. View Sample Plan of Study

PhD in Health Promotion Sciences

The PhD in Health Promotion Sciences program prepares you for a high-level career in research, teaching/mentoring, consulting, policy development, or other leadership roles focused on the behavioral determinants of health, the promotion of health, and the prevention of premature disease and disability. With the skills and interdisciplinary knowledge you develop through your coursework, independent research, and relationships with faculty mentors, you will leave ready to lead in a variety of settings including universities, health promotion agencies at every level, healthcare systems and service organizations, and private industry.

Applicants should have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree, with preference for a master’s degree in a related field. Preference will also be given to applicants with a relevant health-related credential. Additionally, applicants should show:

• demonstrated commitment to health promotion through education, work, and/or volunteer experience
• demonstrated research experience as evidenced by a thesis-based master’s degree, authored publications, and/or a description of research activities in their personal statement
• strong statistical background
• strong match of research interest/experience with a graduate faculty member
• minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) in all courses of record; alternatively, applicants may present a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the last two years of graduate study plus other evidence of research competence

Both a personal statement and a sample research paper or abstract are required elements of the admissions application .

In consultation with your faculty advisor, you will design a plan of study to meet your professional, educational, and scholarly goals. You will leave empowered to produce and defend a significant original contribution to knowledge in your field of specialization, demonstrate mastery of subject material, and conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner. The PhD program requires a minimum of 48 credits, including core coursework, as well as a doctoral general exam:

• Health Promotion Courses (minimum 15 credits)
• Methodology & Statistics Courses (minimum 9 credits)
• Electives/Cognate Courses (minimum 9 credits):
• Developing Research & Academic Teaching Skills & Competence (minimum 6 credits)
• Dissertation Preparation (minimum 15 credits)

View all Graduate Program Courses.

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of Graduate Assistantships with stipend, full tuition waiver, and health insurance benefits may be available. These graduate assistantships include research and/or teaching assignments.

Fellowships

The Graduate School oversees several Fellowships available on a competitive basis to outstanding masters and doctoral scholars. These fellowships are intended to recruit and support the most promising students entering graduate programs at the University of Connecticut. Recipients of these fellowships will represent the very best applicants to graduate programs at the University.

Learn more about Fellowships.

Application Deadline

For preferred consideration,   apply by December 15   to begin the following fall semester. Later applications may be considered on a space-available basis. Please contact us if you are interested in spring admission.

Start your application now!

Learn More about AHS

Learn more about education, research, or community engagement in the Department of Allied Health Sciences.

Apply to AHS

Join our vibrant community of students working to make the world healthier. Apply to Allied Health Sciences today.

Graduate Admissions

Health Promotion Sciences

Phd in health promotion sciences.

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The PhD program in Health Promotion Sciences trains well-rounded researchers and scholars in the theory and method of prevention research. Our students examine health-related behavior to create novel, effective interventions for disease prevention and health promotion.

In this unique degree program, you not only study the causes of health-related behaviors, you also design effective interventions to prevent disease and promote health. The well-rounded training encompasses theory and methods from the allied fields of communications, psychology, preventive medicine, cultural studies, biostatistics, public health and epidemiology. A low student-faculty ratio and a commitment to teaching at the highest level foster a highly collaborative learning and research environment in which you play a central role. You will work with faculty who are world leaders in health promotion and disease prevention research; they will mentor you from the start of your training until the successful completion of your doctoral degree. Because they bring a robust record of scholarly activity and experience—from being funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other well-known agencies to publishing in hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and running countless research centers—you will gain firsthand knowledge and insight into the life of a research scientist. This substantial education prepares you to become a public health scholar and expert.

Program Highlights

• Our online courses utilize the latest technology to enrich the learning experience and enhance your presentation skills. This includes multimedia lectures and interactive demonstrations.
• Proximity to local health departments in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties provides employment and educational opportunities for students.
• The SCGH Student Association provides opportunities for leadership and impact through intellectual, social and cultural contributions that meet the needs of public health students through community service, dialogue, and special events.
• Classroom discussion and projects use the latest technologies to enhance learning and presentation skills, including in-class multimedia lectures and demonstrations.
• You can pursue the PhD in Health Promotion Sciences in conjunction with another degree program, such as an MA in Economics. You earn a diploma for each degree, and unit sharing across programs decreases your required total units.

Program at a Glance

UNITS 72 units

Modality Online

*Program completion times may vary depending on course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.

COURSES BEGIN Fall | Spring

DEGREE AWARDED PhD in Health Promotion Sciences

Featured Courses

Examines theories in Health Promotion Sciences and expands on the exploration and evaluation of the theories of social and behavior influences introduced in CGH 300.

Examines the most commonly used statistical methods in clinical and experimental research, focusing on data analytic methods, reading and interpreting computer output from commonly used statistical packages, and more.

Provides an overview of the causes, distribution, and control of disease in populations and the skills and knowledge to investigate the epidemiology of a specific disease or other health-related phenomenon.

Develops an understanding of the principles and skills of conducting behavioral research, using qualitative and quantitative approaches commonly used in public health settings.

Covers multivariable statistical techniques frequently used in health-related research, including topics in linear and logistic regression, structural modeling, multiple-group modeling, exploratory factor analysis, growth curves, and multi-level or nested models.

Areas of Concentration

Gain an understanding of the principle methods of biostatistics through informatics, basic mathematical and computational tools, modeling, and computer applications.

Take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding key public health challenges that transcend local and national boundaries and require collaborative solutions.

Increase your knowledge of key challenges in health communication and how it works through curricular development, persuasive technologies, interpersonal processes, and more.

Note: This concentration is not currently accepting new students. Study neurocognitive sciences through the field’s impact on community and global health prevention, decision making, language, memory, and evolution’s impact on the brain.

Understand major public health issues in the United States and abroad through the lenses of health services, environmental and occupational health, program planning, and leadership.

Master the use of information for public health practice, including information technology, and systems to improve effectiveness of public health enterprises.

Theoretical Foundations in Health Education & Promotion Biostatistics Epidemiology Seminar in Grant Writing & Proposal Development Data Analysis Research Methods Advanced Theoretical Foundations in Health Education & Promotion Advanced Statistical Methods I Advanced Statistical Methods II Advanced Research Methods Manuscript Development Foundations of Inclusive Pedagogy and Course Design Doctoral Study

Transdisciplinary course (4 units) Directed research units (8 units) Concentration courses (12 units)

Program Features

Networking Opportunities With more than 80 chapters throughout the world, the Delta Epsilon chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health at CGU opens up numerous academic and professional opportunities for SCGH students, including:

• Electing students, faculty, alumni, and honorary members based on high academic standards and outstanding performance in scholarship, teaching, research, and community service.
• Connecting students to a vast networking pool of 15,000 members from the top echelons of graduate schools, programs of public health, and the public health community.
• Opening doors for faculty and students to network and positively impact public health initiatives in the Southern California region.
• Boosting students’ transition from academic life to professional life.

Research Projects Gain direct experience in the global health community through a collective research and service focus on the needs of communities in Southern California, the Pacific Rim, South Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Faculty & Research

Jessica Clague DeHart

Associate Professor of Community and Global Health

Research Interests

Epidemiology, chronic disease, cancer etiology, cancer survivorship, molecular and genetic epidemiology, lifestyle intervention trials, exercise, nutrition, quality of life, community-based interventions

Stewart I. Donaldson

Distinguished University Professor Executive Director, Claremont Evaluation Center Executive Director, The Evaluators' Institute (TEI)

Positive Organizational Psychology, Health/Well-Being & Positive Functioning Across Cultures, Program Design & Re-Design, Culturally Responsive Theory-Driven Measurement & Evaluation

Affiliated with

Claremont Evaluation Center

The Evaluators’ Institute

C. Anderson Johnson

Professor Founding Dean, School of Community & Global Health

Transnational prevention of tobacco, alcohol, and drug abuse, HIV-AIDS, and obesity; Community-based substance abuse prevention; Social and environmental influences on health; Community and mass media approaches to health

Paula Healani Palmer

Associate Professor of Community and Global Health Director of the PhD in Health Promotion Sciences program

Determinants of health among ethnically diverse populations; Community-based participatory research among under-served, underrepresented populations; Health of Pacific Islanders and South Asians; Technology applications for health behavior interventions; Tobacco control, mental health, disaster management, health of migrants and indigenous peoples; Maternal and child health

Darleen V. Peterson

Professor of Practice, Community and Global Health Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Director of the Certificate and Master of Public Health (MPH) programs

Evaluation of Health Communication Campaigns, Effects of Pro- and Anti-Tobacco and Alcohol Marketing; Public Health Education Accreditation

Kim D. Reynolds

Nutrition and physical activity, Health promotion and disease prevention, Diabetes and obesity

Professor Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

Application of theories and methods of human memory; Cognitive neuroscience and social cognition to health behavior: etiology, prevention, and media effects; Translation of basic research to field research, high-risk populations, and prevention; Validation issues in assessment

Professor of Community and Global Health Director of the Applied Biostatistics (MS) program

Obesity prevention; Tobacco control; Diet, physical activity, body image in adolescents; Psychological adjustment to obesity; Diabetes and cancer; Application of statistical analysis in prevention research

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

American Heart Association

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

World Health Organization

Orange County Children’s Hospital

City of Hope

Blue Shield of California

Request information about the Health Promotion Sciences (Online) program

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Regina Wang Lee

Director of Recruitment for the School of Community & Global Health T: 909-607-9417 E: [email protected]

• Academic Calendar
• Student Experience
• Meet Our Students
• Biostatistics and Epidemiology
• MPH in Community Health Promotion
• Global Health
• Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Services
• Generalist Concentration
• MPH Accelerated Fast-Track Program
• Faculty-Led Trips
• Admissions Overview
• MPH Careers

MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH (MPH) ONLINE

4 Careers in Health Education and Promotion

Take Your Next Step

Receive information about the benefits of our programs, the courses you'll take, and what you need to apply.

Step 1 of 2

Health education professionals are skilled, compassionate individuals who can make a positive difference in the lives of others. Careers in health education and promotion are the reason we have community outreach programs, health counselors in our schools and safety coordinators in our places of work.

Public health educators generally focus their efforts on groups of people, from families to communities to workforces of large corporations. They develop educational campaigns and programs that promote healthy habits and environments, and their duties tend to be more research-oriented and project-based. They analyze data about target demographics and develop evidence-based programs that are specific to the groups they serve.

USC’s online Master of Public Health (MPH) program helps prepare graduates to be on the front line in the delivery of public health education services. Because of the balance of advisory and teaching duties, an MPH graduate can choose to pursue several career paths in health education and promotion. Before we delve into specific careers, let’s define health education and promotion.

What Is Health Education and Promotion?

Health education and promotion breaks down into two main components: (1) developing health education programs that discuss topics such as proper diet and nutrition, sex education, and transmissible disease prevention and (2) promoting those programs to do the most good. By educating the public about topics such as illness, personal fitness and proper sanitation, public health professionals can help community members live longer and healthier lives.

Health education and promotion can be as simple as teaching kids to wash their hands and extends to every industry and corner of the world. It would be difficult to find a school, corporation or government facility without a health education officer of some kind.

How to Pursue a Career in Health Education and Promotion

Studying health education and promotion can lead to careers that are critical to public health and disease prevention. Individuals who are interested in a career in health education can benefit from earning a focused bachelor’s or master’s degree in public health, such as USC’s Master of Public Health degree with its Community Health Promotion concentration.

Engaging in a degree program that focuses on health promotion prepares students to educate the public about specific health concerns. For instance, some health educators are devoted to teaching the public about immediate dangers such as emerging pandemics, while others collect data and develop programs around long-range health threats such as substance abuse and family planning. USC’s Community Health Promotion program helps students become resident experts in the behavioral and environmental changes that improve public health, allowing them to make a direct impact in their communities by encouraging people to make better decisions for themselves.

Because the scope of public health is so broad, students enrolled in this program can expect plenty of exposure to related fields, including:

● Biostatistics and epidemiology ● Global health ● Geohealth ● Health services and policy

By gaining an education in a range of public health topics, graduates can pursue several different careers in health education and promotion. Some of the most popular roles include health promotion specialist, public health educator, and corporate wellness trainer, just to name a few.

In addition to getting a master’s degree in public health, another way to make yourself a more desirable candidate in the eyes of potential employers is by becoming a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

What Is the Certified Health Education Specialist Exam?

Those interested in careers in health education and promotion should also consider becoming certified health education specialists. While entry-level public health positions usually don’t require certification, advancing to senior levels will likely require you to sit for the CHES exam.

The CHES exam, which the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) administers, tests knowledge in seven areas of responsibility:

● Area I: Assess Needs, Resources, and Capacity for Health Education/Promotion ● Area II: Plan Health Education/Promotion ● Area III: Implement Health Education/Promotion ● Area IV: Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education/Promotion ● Area V: Administer and Manage Health Education/Promotion ● Area VI: Serve as a Health Education/Promotion Resource Person ● Area VII: Communicate, Promote, and Advocate for Health, Health Education/Promotion, and the Profession

You must have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in the field of public health or a significant number of credit hours to take the CHES exam. Your transcripts will be evaluated by the CHES examination board to determine whether you have the required education to sit for the exam. Not every Master of Public Health program will qualify a student to take the CHES, however, the Community Health Promotion concentration offered through USC should provide sufficient preparation and eligibility.

4 Jobs in the Field of Health Education and Promotion

Public health includes a wide variety of rewarding careers, including the following.

1. Social and Community Service Managers

Social and community service managers develop programs and coordinate initiatives to support public wellness and increase education. They generally work with local communities or with specific groups that need education and support, such as in schools or at homeless shelters. Social and community service managers may cover areas such as mental health, substance abuse and vaccine promotion.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for social and community managers are expected to grow by 17% between 2019 and 2029.

2. Corporate Wellness Trainer

Corporate wellness trainers teach health and wellness best practices to business employees. Just as there are ways to mitigate risk and reduce the spread of illness in communities, the same applies to offices, warehouses, and other places where employees work in close proximity. Corporate wellness trainers may promote topics such as the importance of sanitizing public surfaces or how to sit in an ergonomically correct way to discourage back and neck issues.

With the advancement of technology, some corporate wellness programs use specially designed apps that incentivize their employees to make healthy choices such as joining a gym or quitting smoking. The end goal is for employees to be healthier, which in turn leads to higher productivity and less unplanned time off for medical visits.

3. Health Care Coordinator

Health care coordinators provide patient care and act as advocates to educate and assist patients in navigating the health care system. They’re responsible for the administrative aspects of patient care and typically work in health care facilities, such as hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities, providing nonmedical support to nurses and patients. While they don’t provide care directly, they do help evaluate patients to determine what their specific needs are. This ensures that their patients have access to the type and quality of care that they need.

4. Health Promotion Specialist

If you have strong communication skills and an interest in influencing people’s health choices, consider a career as a health promotion specialist. Specific tasks may range from giving face-to-face advice to individuals to researching and developing strategic policies to promote better choices to a wider group, such as healthy lifestyle campaigns. Health promotion specialists can be found in a range of settings, including hospitals, local community groups, prisons, schools and workplaces.

The BLS includes health promotion specialists in the category of health educators and community health workers and expects jobs in the category to grow by 13% between 2019 and 2029.

Begin Your Career in Public Health Today

Health education and promotion professionals are in high demand, and the field is expected to continue to grow. While a bachelor’s degree is often the minimum requirement for entry-level positions, those with a master’s degree in public health and CHES certification can have more opportunities for specialization and to grow into leadership roles.

The online MPH program at the Keck School of Medicine of USC helps students learn the skills needed to motivate individuals and communities to achieve better health through behavioral and environmental changes. Take your first step toward an exciting and rewarding career today.

Recommended Readings

MPH student uses models to promote public health awareness The Next U.S. Drug Epidemic: Increased Opioid Usage and Alcohol Abuse

National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, CHES Exam National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Guide to Health Education Careers National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, How to Become a Health Education Specialist National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Responsibilities and Competencies National Institutes of Health (NIH) PayScale, Average Healthcare Coordinator Hourly Pay PayScale, Average Wellness Director Salary Quenza, The Power of a Corporate Wellness Coach: Where To Find One World Health Organization U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Health Educators and Community Health Workers U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Community Service Managers U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Learn More About Our MPH Program

Salaries for Health Promotion Specialist with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent

According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Health Promotion Specialist with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is $75,183 - $81,266 . Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.

DHSc vs. Ph.D.: What Path Should You Take?

Earning a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) or a Ph.D. in Health Science can lead to jobs at the pinnacle of the healthcare profession. When choosing between a DHSc vs. Ph.D., it’s important to understand that the degrees target people with different career ambitions.

Typically, a Ph.D. focuses on original research and a dissertation. A DHSc provides current health professionals the skills they need to become innovative leaders in healthcare administration, education, and research positions.

Graduates from Touro University Worldwide’s online DHSc program apply theory to solving complex challenges in leadership roles. Earning the degree opens the door to a wide range of jobs, including hospital administrators, research team leaders, health information managers, and health education specialists.

Comparing a DHSc vs. a Ph.D.

Both doctoral degrees can fulfill the ambitions of professionals motivated to work in the upper echelons of healthcare. However, there are key differences between the two. Deciding which degree to pursue depends on your career aspirations.

Similarities: DHSc vs. Ph.D.

Both degrees build on job experience and knowledge gained at the master’s level. Health science is a multidisciplinary field. Graduates from either program go on to research life-saving medicines, develop tech-driven medical devices, or improve the management of clinics and hospitals.

Health science is so vast that doctoral graduates can approach their jobs from different perspectives , including STEM, social care, mental health, physical health, and medicine.

Differences: DHSc vs. Ph.D.

A Ph.D. is a traditional academic and research-focused degree that often focuses on a specific area of healthcare research. A Ph.D requires a dissertation to graduate.

A DHSc is an applied doctorate, just like a Doctor of Physician Assistant.  Students learn the skills and tools needed to develop evidence-based solutions in health science in various settings. Under the guidance and mentorship of a faculty member, students also create a research project that applies to their area of interest.

Career Options: DHSc vs. Ph.D.

A Ph.D. program graduate may pursue research and teaching jobs in an academic setting or private company. They lead research in their area of expertise and provide education for the next generation of health scientists.

DHSc graduates enjoy a wide variety of options. Students in the program are often graduates from health science degree programs . Others come from fields across healthcare, including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health. They may focus on population health, hospital operations, or guiding community clinics.

Three examples of Doctor of Health Science salaries and careers include the following (all salary and job projection numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics ):

Medical and health services managers . These administrators plan and direct healthcare operations. The median salary reached $104,280 in May 2020. Projections call for a 32% in jobs between 2019 and 2029.

Medical scientists . They conduct research to find ways of improving human health. The median salary reached $91,510 in May 2020. Projections call for a 6% increase in jobs between 2019 and 2029.

Health education specialists . They develop health education programs that support individuals, families, and communities to improve their health. The average salary reached $62,120 in May 2020. Projections call for a 13% increase in jobs between 2019 and 2029.

TUW’s Doctor of Health Science Degree

Students in the 48-credit TUW DHSc program begin with core courses that cover a range of healthcare topics.

• History of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Theoretical Foundations in Health Science
• Ethics and Professional Leadership in Health Science
• Health Informatics
• Program Development and Evaluation for Health Professionals
• Epidemiology
• U.S. and Global Health Policy
• Introduction to Biostatistics
• Occupation and Environmental Health
• Quantitative Research and Analysis
• Qualitative Research and Analysis
• Survey Design for Health Science

Students then work with the program chair and committee to develop a doctoral research proposal. Once approved, students then complete the doctoral research project, culminating with a successful oral defense of their project before the committee.

The TUW program offers several unique features. All instructors are health science experts actively working with private companies, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. TUW offers the program 100% online, giving students the flexibility needed to earn their degrees while maintaining professional and personal schedules. All course content is designed to allow students to complete the process at their own pace.

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The Best Health Degrees

Your go-to source for information about healthcare degrees and programs

PhD Jobs in Community Health Education

Jobs in Community Health Education include both clinical and direct care options for individuals with a PhD in community health education. Do you love your community and want to make a difference in the health of the people in your area? Earning your PhD in community-based health promotion or health education is a great way to help people. You will learn about public health, disease prevention, preventive care, and how to help people get the affordable healthcare treatment they need. 

What is Community Health Education and Promotion?

Do you wonder what community-based health promotion entails? The field is decades old. However, it’s come under the spotlight recently with the onslaught of the COVID-19 crisis. In today’s information age, misinformation is everywhere. So, many communities are searching to find trusted experts that can help them keep their families safe.

There are many different career options for people that want to work in community health promotion. With a PhD in this field, you can make a difference in your community and advance your career. So, to help you decide if this field is a good fit for your career goals, keep reading.

What Does a Community Health Educator Do?

Like public health , community-based health promotion can take many forms and can differ widely depending on the needs of each community. In some areas, community health promoters work to address common health issues within the population. In others, they work to help citizens get access to care.

These professionals may also serve as advocates for people struggling to get the care or education that they need. They can work as liaisons between social services providers and other healthcare providers. Or, they may train medical staff in a particular community about cultural awareness. Some may educate policymakers about the importance of creating smoke free areas. So, in all these examples these educators identify health related issues and then find a way to promote wellness.

The job of a community-based health promotion educator can differ depending on the needs of the community. In order to be successful in this field, professionals must stay on top of the latest research. Then they adjust health education programs and policies in order to meet the changing needs of your community. 

Why the Community Development Approach to Health Promotion?

For many health issues, education is the first step to prevention and effective treatment. For a community health educator, a community development approach means working to assess the needs of a particular area and then working to meet those needs. They may work with public health departments and nonprofit organizations to help manage government programs. Or oversee programs for private health services at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

The goal is to understand the needs of various populations within a community. Ideally, these health initiatives or health education programs work in tandem to create a stronger, healthier community. For example, public health campaigns promoting healthy behaviors can promote health and also help people find health services. Grant funded programs that focus on substance abuse or mental health help individuals adopt healthy behaviors and also find healthcare services.

What Can I Do With A Community Health Education Degree?

There are many options for employment after you earn your PhD. With a doctoral degree, you will be a health expert in your community. Experienced community health workers typically interact with the public and also other public health officials.

You may work in local or state government, for a private health organization, or as a private consultant. People in these jobs often work to develop health education programs and initiatives that benefit the health of the overall population. You may also create these programs, collaborating with fellow health experts on research and community education. Working as a community health educator is an excellent way to put your passion for quality healthcare to good use. 

Accreditation for Community Health Promotion and Education Programs

There is no specific accreditation body for graduate public health education programs. So, it’s essential to ensure that you’re completing a program at a reputable university. There are ways to ensure that you’re choosing a program that future potential employers will see as worthwhile. 

Since there is not a governing body for graduate public health degrees, students should make sure the school has accreditation. The school may have accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission or another regional accreditation board. Also, make sure the US Department of Education recognizes the accreditation board.

How to Choose a Program

While most PhD programs are extremely reputable, there are some that function as “degree mills”. They push students through the program as quickly as possible while collecting tuition money. Be sure to do your research on schools that you’re considering. And take your time before you decide to put down a deposit. 

First, talk with a potential academic advisor before you commit to a school. Below are a few questions that you can ask to determine if the institution is reputable.

• What’s your alumni involvement like?
• Can I contact a successful alumnus/a of your program?
• How many of your graduates find jobs upon graduation?
• What percentage of students who enroll in your program graduate?
• How long does it take students to graduate, on average?

Additionally, you should be able to find the names of faculty members for your PhD program on the institution’s website. A quick web search can help you see whether they’re reputable. In a PhD program, faculty members should have published research and a solid internet presence. You may struggle to find information on a school or come across bad reviews from previous students. If so, it may be a sign that you should move on to a different program. 

Types of Health Promotion and Education Doctoral Degrees

When you’re working through the process of finding the right health promotion PhD program for your career goals, you’ll find that you have many options. Whether you’re focusing solely on health promotion PhD programs, you want to be a community health educator, or you’re focusing on programs that combine the two titles into a doctorate in health education and promotion. However, most degrees in this field focus on helping communities get and stay healthy. 

When you research health promotion PhD programs, you’ll find many options for traditional, hybrid, and online programs. There are benefits to each option. And each avenue can allow you to forge a successful path to earning a doctorate in health promotion. 

Traditional Degree Options

Choosing a traditional option for your PhD in health promotion means that you’ll spend much of your time in the classroom. If you’re able to focus solely on your education right now without having to worry about other responsibilities, traditional education may be a good fit for you. Traditional education as you earn your PhD in health promotion means that you’ll get plenty of face time with professors, and you’ll be able to participate in on-campus research projects in a hands-on way. 

Online Degree Options

Getting your doctorate in health promotion online is another option that can work well for many people. When you get your PhD in health education and health promotion online, you can create your own classwork schedule. This means that you can continue working in your 9-5 job while getting your education in your spare time. Be sure to talk with your admissions officer about the requirements for the online program.

While most online PhD in health education and health promotion programs allow you to complete work on your own time, others require that you’re online at specific times to participate in lectures and discussions with others. Many PhD in community health promotion and health education programs that take place online are largely made up of nontraditional learners with a wealth of real-world and professional experience. This can make for lively discussion boards and group projects that allow you to learn firsthand from other professionals in your field. 

Hybrid Degree Options

For the best of both worlds, consider earning your PhD in community health promotion and education through a hybrid program. A hybrid doctorate in health education and promotion program combines online education with traditional education. This format allows you to complete some of your classes remotely and others on campus.

In a hybrid PhD community health educator program, you may be able to choose which classes you take online and which classes you take in the classroom, or the course schedule may be set for you. Be sure to talk with your admissions officer about scheduling options for your hybrid online health education and promotion doctorate degree so you can ensure that the program is a good fit for your needs. 

Specialization Options Within Health Promotion PhD Programs 

Whether you choose traditional or online doctoral programs in community health, you’ll find that there are many specializations available.

Earning your doctorate in health promotion online with a specialty in research prepares you to be at the forefront of learning more about healthcare. This specialty is relatively uncommon. Therefore, earning your PhD in health promotion online with a specialty in research will put you in a unique position upon graduation to work in a research lab that studies how to improve health initiatives in communities. 

Global healthcare

Earning your doctorate in health promotion online with a specialty in global healthcare allows you to study how healthcare differs around the world. This online health education and promotion doctorate degree allows students to take aspects that work from various cultures and understand how those techniques could improve healthcare in other cultures. This specialty also allows students to understand how healthcare access, poverty, food availability, literacy, and other factors affect healthcare in communities around the world. 

Management and leadership

Doctoral programs in community health focus on management and leadership . These roles are ideal for professionals who understand that health education programs and initiatives need to be set into motion in order for the public to benefit. Earning your health promotion doctorate with a focus on leadership will prepare you to move communities in the right direction. And at the same time, you will lead the people who can make significant changes on a local level. 

Food studies

Many healthcare professionals have begun to emphasize the importance of nutrition. Furthermore, many online doctoral programs in community health are beginning to offer food studies specialties. When you earn your health promotion doctorate with a specialization in food studies, you’ll learn how food deserts, food access, and hunger issues affect communities, and you’ll be able to work to develop solutions to these issues. 

Population Healthcare

Doctoral programs in community health that offer a population healthcare specialty allow students to learn about the macro factors that affect healthcare. This type of Ph.D. in health promotion online focuses on how attitudes, psychology, history, access, and other factors affect healthcare issues around the world. It also discusses the solutions that need to be put into place to create improved health worldwide. 

Careers in Health Promotion and Education with a Doctorate

There are many community health educator jobs that will allow you to put your degree to good work. Jobs in community health promotion are on the rise due to the COVID-19 crisis, and the position is now more important than ever. Let’s take a look at some of the community health educator jobs for which you’ll be well qualified after you finish your degree. 

When you earn your PhD, many of the health science community health education jobs will be in supervisory or research roles. Did you enjoy the direct work with community members that you’ve had in your career thus far? If so, remember that you can always jump in with your instructors as they work in health education. You can help teach health classes, work with the public, and do the grassroots work that you love. 

Most states do not require community health educators have a certification. However, some employers prefer individuals with the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential. It is offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing ( NCHEC ). Another common credential is the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). This credential is from the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education ( CBDCE ).

Jobs in Community Health

The community health educator job description and the community health educator definition can vary greatly from community to community and can look different in various healthcare education settings. Generally, workers collect data and then discuss health concerns with members of a community. Let’s take a look at some of the community health education jobs for professionals who have their PhD in community health promotion and education. 

Public health program evaluator

One of the most important community health promotion jobs is a public health program evaluator. These professionals find out what’s working and what isn’t working within community health programs. This information is used to influence policies and also care and health outcomes. Health professional jobs at this level are supervisory in nature, and often require leadership skills and the ability to manage a team. These community health workers typically interact with both researchers and the community. So, they need excellent instructional skills and also interpersonal skills.

Disease specialist

Disease prevention community health promotion specialist jobs require you to become an expert on a specific disease or group of diseases. These health education degree jobs can involve staying on top of the latest research and talking with other experts in the field. Then, they develop education programs for the communities and populations most likely to be affected by the disease. Workers in government positions may also develop materials to help prevent costly diseases.

Health Education specialist

Most Health Education Specialists only have a bachelor’s degree. But some health education specialist positions require a master’s or doctoral degree. Some Health Education Specialists work on public health campaigns. Topics may include proper nutrition, emergency preparedness, immunizations, or stress management. Additionally, they may provide safety information during emergencies. Some work to develop programs to improve employee health.

In a few areas, these professionals only need a high school diploma and learn through on the job training.

Non-profit health education supervisor 

Community health promotion specialist jobs with non-profit organizations require supervisory experts who have a wealth of knowledge in their field. When you work non-profit jobs in community health promotion, you’ll supervise a team of specialists. Typically these health education specialists collect information on programs and report to their supervisors the latest well-researched information. They also help organizations obtain funding. Non-profit community health educator jobs range from health and disease awareness to school health education.

University health education supervisor

One of the top community health educator jobs is working with college students in a university setting. These jobs for health education majors can allow you to focus on your area of interest, whether that’s sexual health, physical fitness, nutrition, or other areas of concern to the young adult population.

These roles and community health educators jobs for professionals who have their PhD often involve supervising graduate student health counselors. They counsel students on how to get and stay healthy in a stressful university setting. Some also help students develop academic and social skills to complete school and enter the workforce.

Policy developer

Are you interested in changing the world of healthcare? Then, a Policy Developer may be one of the jobs for health education majors that makes the most sense for you. These community health education specialist jobs allow you to impact the legislation affecting public health for years to come. You’ll also be working to create funding for other community health educators’ jobs, positively impacting the field. 

As a public health instructor, you’ll get to teach students and help develop the next group of minds that will shape the policies that affect the health of future generations. Whether you teach introductory or more advanced policy change classes, being a community health educator is a rewarding job!

Now that you know about some community health degree jobs, let’s explore the different salary ranges for people who work in the field. 

Salary Expectations for Community Health Professionals

When you’re considering getting your degree in community health education and promotion, it makes sense that you want to know more about the PhD in health promotion salary. Are you getting into the field because you care about helping others? If so, you also need to ensure that you’ll be able to make a comfortable living as a community health educator after you finish your schooling.

Many factors can affect a community health educator salary. Still, most people with a PhD find that a community health educator’s salary provides them with enough money to live comfortably while still paying back their student loans. 

Factors that Effect Salary

Now, let’s examine the community health education salary. Several factors can affect the salary of community health educator jobs. 

Your community health promotion specialist salary may depend on the funding available to your community or organization. Your community health educator specialist’s salary may be higher in an area with a budget for health education interventions.

Cost of living

The cost of living will be a determining factor in your PhD in health promotion salary. The higher the cost of living in your area, the higher your salary will likely be. As you search for community health promotion specialist salary options, you’ll want to keep the cost of living in mind. A job in a large city may pay more because the cost of living will be higher than in a small town. 

Your experience can help to determine your community health educator’s salary. If you’ve worked as a professional in the field, you can leverage your experience into a higher salary offer.  

Your specialty during your education can also determine your community health educator’s salary. If you choose a highly in-demand field, your salary may be higher than a field with more people capable of doing the job. Your research in your specialty can also contribute to a higher salary offer. 

How Much Can You Make?

Generally, you can expect the following average salary ranges for jobs with a community health degree.

• Community Health Professor – $72,350 average
• Public Health Program Evaluator – $96,009 per year
• Non-profit Health Education Supervisor – $21,500 to $104,000 per year
• Director of Health Education Supervisor – $46,000 to $117,000 per year
• Community Health Policy Advisor – $19,500 to $124,000 per year

Professional Organizations Health Promotion and Education

As you move through your community health educator career, it’s key that you involve yourself in professional organizations. Some community health promotion and education professional organizations include: 

• American Public Health Association ( APHA )
• National Commission For Health Education Credentialing ( NCHEC )
• Public Health Learning Network ( PHLN )
• Society For Public Health Education ( SOPHE )

Connecting with other community health professionals offers networking opportunities. You can learn about new job opportunities and participate in classes to earn continuing education credits to stay current on the latest research.

Other Career Paths

If you are undecided about pursuing a PhD in community health, you wan want to explore some similar degree fields. These similar occupations include Social Work, Mental Health Counselors, Health Administration, Public Health, Family Therapists, or Registered Nurse.

There are many jobs in health education and promotion. And with a PhD, your salary will be very high!

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• 25 April 2024

NIH pay raise for postdocs and PhD students could have US ripple effect

• Amanda Heidt 0

Amanda Heidt is a freelance journalist in southeastern Utah.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Academic workers walk a picket line at the University of California, Los Angeles. Credit: Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times via Getty

Amid a reckoning over poor job prospects and stagnating wages for early career scientists, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) said it will raise the salaries of thousands of postdoctoral researchers and graduate students who receive a prestigious NIH research fellowship. The move could boost pay for other scientists as well, because academic institutions often follow guidelines set by the NIH.

Beginning immediately, postdocs who hold one of the agency’s Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) will now earn at least $61,008 per year — an 8% increase and the largest year-over-year increase the NIH has implemented since 2017. Postdocs’ salaries, which are adjusted for years of experience, are capped at $74,088 per year. Graduate students’ yearly salaries will rise by $1,000, amounting to a minimum annual salary of $28,224.

“This is a major step in the right direction and something that the majority will agree is widely needed to retain talent in the biomedical and academic research sectors,” says Francisca Maria Acosta, a biomedical engineer and postdoc at UT Health San Antonio in Texas who is herself funded through an NRSA.

Postdoc shortage

In 2022, the agency assembled an advisory group on how best to retain and cultivate postdoctoral talent following reports that principal investigators (PIs) were struggling to fill vacant postdoc positions . In December, the panel released recommendations that suggested a minimum salary of $70,000 for postdocs.

The NIH agreed that a salary increase is indeed needed for the more than 17,000 research trainees covered by the NRSAs. The agency will also provide an extra $500 in subsidies for childcare and $200 for training-related expenses. In this week’s announcement, the agency acknowledged that this increase falls short of the council’s recommendation, and cited its tight budget in recent years.

Canadian science gets biggest boost to PhD and postdoc pay in 20 years

It added that “pending the availability of funds through future appropriations,” the agency would increase salaries to meet the recommended $70,000 target in the next three to five years, while also suggesting that NIH-funded institutions could supplement salaries in other ways. That presents a challenge, according to Sharona Gordon, a biophysicist at the University of Washington in Seattle, when the NIH’s modular R01 grants — one of the primary research awards given to PIs to fund their labs — have remained at $250,000 since they were introduced in 1998. Such grants cannot be used to supplement salaries, meaning lab heads have to pull money from other sources to increase trainees’ pay.

Even scientists who approve of the NIH’s move say it could have unintended consequences. “For institutions such as ours, which mandate that the postdoc minimum salary be set to the NIH minimum, there are some concerns that this increase in personnel costs could be a barrier for labs based on funding levels,” Acosta says.

For some, the five-year timeline for the increase feels insufficient. Haroon Popal, a cognitive science postdoc at the University of Maryland in College Park whose work is funded by the NIH, says that while he understands the pressures on the agency, the new salary will not be enough to support him as he assumes multiple caregiving responsibilities. Even with the boost, postdoc positions in academia fall far short of what researchers could make in government, industry, or nonprofit positions. “This is an issue of diversity and equity for me,” he says. “The new postdoc salary is not allowing people like me to be in academia, which is counter to the NIH’s, institutions’, and our scientific community’s goals of increased diversity.”

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01242-x

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Home » Careers » Highest Paid Public Health Careers

Highest paid public health careers

There are many options for a successful career in public health, but it should be noted that you more than likely need a degree and that salaries vary by geographic location, cost of living, the company, and job roles or functions. If you are considering or looking for a job in public health, read our guide to learn about 10 high-paying public health jobs along with detailed information on top-paying locations and industries.

The sponsored program table featured on this page was last updated in November 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school . 

Sponsored online public health programs

Before considering a public health career.

To start a successful career in public health, individuals with an interest in the field need to start with the basics, so let’s review public health degrees and why they are important.

• Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) : The BPH degree is a common undergraduate option for college-going individuals with aspirations to enter the field. However, some learners opt for courses of study in health administration, nursing, informatics, or other healthcare disciplines. Many people who work in public health hold an MPH and most MPH programs require a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. Therefore, a BPH can help you build a knowledge base if you’d like to pursue the route of an advanced degree. Both online and on-campus BPH programs are available. Explore our guide for an overview of BPH program options.
• Master of Public Health (MPH) : An MPH is not required to work in public health, but some public health professionals might recommend it for certain positions in both the private and public sectors. There are many different concentrations available to those who want to earn a specialized MPH degree — epidemiology, global health, community health, and environmental health are some of the common ones. There are plenty of traditional MPH programs and online MPH programs available.
• Doctor of Public Health(DPH) : The DPH degree is the terminal degree in the public health field. If you are looking to become a public health professor in a college setting or if you want to pursue a research position, you might consider continuing on to a DPH (also called DrPH) or PhD in public health program after your master’s education. Learn more about the DPH degree .

High-paying public health jobs

The following sections provide information on high-paying public health careers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) , as well as an explanation of job functions and requirements to be considered for employment.

Biostatistician

Summary : $98,920 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Statisticians are a vital part of public health research. Statisticians design experiments, questionnaires, and surveys to collect data on people and health. They analyze the collected data and create reports to highlight trends and explain their findings. Statisticians can work in many fields, but most are employed in government, healthcare, or research and development. Biostaticians, in particular, use statistical tools to research questions related to medicine and biology. They may look into new drugs on the market or the causes of diseases.

Degree requirements

An undergraduate degree in statistics will suffice for some entry-level jobs, but many roles require a master’s degree. Coursework in statistics and mathematics is necessary for entry into a master’s program. A master’s degree in statistics, when paired with biology or public health coursework, can lay the foundation for pursuing a career in biostatistics.

• Recommended or common degrees: Biostatistics degrees

Biostatisticians earned a median annual salary of $98,920 in 2022. The lowest 10% of professionals made less than $58,090 and the highest 10% earned more than $161,300.

Computer and information systems manager

Summary : $164,070 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Computer and information system managers are tasked with the planning, coordination, and supervision of computer-related operations at their organization. In the context of public health, these experts, often referred to as clinical informatics specialists or information system managers, bear the responsibility of defining and addressing IT needs and goals for healthcare organizations. They may resolve software and hardware issues, install new computer systems, keep operating costs low, and orchestrate and oversee long-term strategies to make computer systems and medical record keeping safer and more effective. 

To become an IT manager, a bachelor’s degree in computer and information science or a related discipline is advised. However, if you’d like to combine your interests in computer science and healthcare, a master’s in healthcare informatics may be the best fit for you. Courses typically cover healthcare systems, health informatics concepts, data analytics, database design and implementation, and IT strategy and management courses.

• Recommended or  common degrees: Master’s in health informatics

As of 2022, the median salary for computer and information systems managers was $164,070 per year. The lowest 10% of professionals earned less than $97,430 and the highest 10% made more than $239,200.

Syracuse University

School of information studies, master’s in information systems executive program.

Bridge the gap between business and technology. Earn an online Master’s in Information Systems Executive Program with a certificate in Applied Data Science from Syracuse University.

• Complete in as little as 15 months
• No GRE scores required to apply

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Postsecondary teachers

Summary : $80,840 per year / Minimum of a master’s degree

Individuals who seek a doctoral degree often do so with the aim of working in academia or conducting scholarly research. These professionals often focus their research on critical topics such as bioterrorism, vaccines, healthcare outcomes, mental health, and social behavior.

Some public health practitioners choose to also obtain their medical license and work as public health physicians or preventive medicine physicians, meaning they can diagnose and treat populations and individuals. These individuals often work for hospitals or government agencies and may also be on boards or serve as key members of other public health organizations.

Professors or postsecondary teachers in public health teach students at the undergraduate or graduate levels. While many professors hold doctoral degrees, some institutions may consider applicants with master’s degrees and substantial professional experience. Additionally, many professors may be expected to conduct research or be involved in various organizations related to their specialty. 

For those who are interested in preventive medicine, becoming a licensed medical doctor (MD) may be the career choice for you.

• Explore doctorate degrees in public health

The median annual salary for postsecondary teachers was $80,840 in 2022. The lowest 10% of these professionals earned less than $47,370 while the highest 10% earned more than $173,730. 

Emergency management director

Summary: $79,180 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Emergency management directors prepare and develop plans to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. They must assess hazards and develop plans to respond to disasters while also minimizing the risk to the public. In collaboration with public officials, nonprofits, and government agencies, emergency management directors help lead the response both before and after emergencies and disasters.

Emergency management directors typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in business, emergency management, or public health, as well as many years of work experience in public administration, emergency preparedness, or disaster planning. Some roles in the private sector may require a degree in computer science, information systems administration, or a related information technology (IT) field.

The median annual salary for emergency management directors was $79,180 in 2022. The lowest 10% of directors earned less than $46,920 and the highest 10% earned more than $147,870. 

Environmental scientist

Summary : $76,480 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Environmental scientists use their knowledge of natural sciences to protect both environmental and human health. Environmental scientists are tasked with a range of duties, including land reclamation and developing regulations and plans to curtail air and soil pollution. Additionally, they take charge of data collection and dissemination of information to governmental bodies, businesses, and the public. While a significant number are employed by state and local governments, many also work as consultants. They work in laboratories, offices, and conduct field work.

A bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, or public health may be sufficient for certain entry-level jobs in environmental sciences (such as field analysts or research assistants). For more advanced careers, a master’s degree is often required. For those aspiring to pursue a career in environmental sciences, their curriculum should encompass foundational subjects like biology, geology, and physics, in addition to more specialized courses such as waste management, fluid mechanics, data analysis, and computer modeling. Communication and interpersonal skills can be useful to environmental scientists as many roles require individuals to explain findings to a variety of people. Additionally, analytical thinking and problem solving can be powerful tools.

Recommended or common degrees: Environmental health programs

The median annual salary for environmental scientists and specialists was $76,480 in 2022. The lowest 10% of scientists earned less than $46,920 and the highest 10% earned more than $130,770. 

Epidemiologist

Summary : $78,520 per year / Minimum of a master’s degree in public health

Epidemiologists work to reduce negative health outcomes among populations. With tasks such as developing and directing studies to determine the causes of disease and injury, analyzing collected data, communicating their findings to both the public and policymakers, suggesting preventive measures, informing public health policies, and facilitating timely responses to emerging health threats, epidemiologists play a crucial role in safeguarding public health. 

A master’s-level degree is required to work as an epidemiologist. The degree could be in epidemiology or another related public health field. The coursework, however, usually includes statistics, survey design, public health, biostatistics, and physical sciences. Soft skills such as attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication are useful to have in this profession.

• Recommended or common degrees: Epidemiology degrees or master’s in public health

The median annual salary for epidemiologists was $78,520 in 2022. The lowest 10% of epidemiologists earned less than $51,170 and the highest 10% earned more than 123,430.  

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Gillings school of global public health, master of public health (mph).

Earn your Master of Public Health (MPH) from UNC-Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health in as few as 20–24 months. The CEPH-accredited online learning experience offers four concentrations.

• Three accredited concentrations: MPH Leadership, MPH Nutrition, and Applied Epidemiology
• Part-time and full-time program options
• Curriculum includes applied field experience. Field placement services available.

Health and safety engineer

Summary : $100,660 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Health and safety engineers work primarily in scientific and technical services but are also employed in construction and by the government. Historically, the manufacturing industry has relied on health and safety engineers to not only ensure the safety of consumer products and work environments, but also to help cut production costs. The job of a health and safety engineer is to design systems and procedures that prevent people from getting sick or injured. Employing observational skills, critical thinking, problem solving and creativity, health and safety engineers identify potential hazards. They also ensure compliance to health and safety regulations, review safety programs, and conduct accident investigations among other multifaceted tasks.

A bachelor’s degree in engineering, public health or occupational/industrial hygiene is typically required for entry-level jobs in health and safety engineering. Individuals interested in health and safety engineering may take undergraduate courses in engineering, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, and environmental health and safety. Experience is also highly sought after by employers, so internships or work experience should also be considered.

• Recommended or common degrees: Occupational health programs

Health and safety engineers earned a median annual salary of $100,660 in 2022. The lowest 10% of engineers made less than $59,090 per year while the highest 10% earned more than $152,550.

Medical and health services manager

Summary : $104,830 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Medical or health services managers , sometimes called healthcare administrators or executives, support a clinic, department, or group of physicians by directing and coordinating health services. The main goal of a healthcare manager is to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. Duties range from billing and scheduling to representing their team at board meetings or in meetings with governing bodies. Healthcare administrators work in hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory health services, clinics and occasionally, in government positions.

At a minimum, healthcare administrators must have a bachelor’s degree, but master’s degrees are more common. Specializing in health administration equips aspiring professionals with fundamental knowledge across a range of topics including accounting, budgeting, health economics, strategic planning, and hospital organization and management. For those with a bachelor’s degree, experience working in a hospital may be helpful and required by some employers. A certification or license may also be required by employers or the state.

• Recommended or common degrees: Master’s in healthcare administration

The median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $104,830 in 2022. The lowest 10% of managers earned less than $64,100 and the highest 10% earned more than $209,990.

Summary : $135,740 per year / Minimum of a doctoral degree

Public health attorneys are a type of lawyer that work with local, state, and national government officials to devise policies, set regulations, and pass laws concerning public health standards. Public health attorneys may also advocate for patients and victims, filing lawsuits against companies and organizations that violate public health standards.

The path toward becoming a lawyer typically begins with four years of undergraduate study followed by three years of law school where aspiring professionals earn a Juris Doctor (JD). Individuals must attend a law school that has been accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). For those who wish to specialize in public health, completing coursework focused on health law can be helpful. The final step to becoming a lawyer is taking and passing the bar exam.

As of 2022, the median annual salary for lawyers was $135,740. The lowest 10% of lawyers earned less than $66,470 and the highest 10% earned more than $239,200.

Social and community service manager

Summary : $74,240 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree 

Social and community service managers supervise workers who provide social services to the public. These services can be tailored to specific groups such as children, veterans, senior citizens, or the homeless, and may address specific challenges like substance abuse, mental health concerns, or unemployment. Core responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing health programs and community organizations. Social and community service managers are also responsible for the administrative aspects of community programs, working with stakeholders to meet objectives, plan and manage outreach and awareness campaigns, and write proposals for community services funding. 

Most positions in social and community service management require a bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, or a related field. However, some jobs may require a master’s degree. Strong analytical, communication, time management, and problem-solving skills are key to a career in social and community service management.

The median annual salary for social and community service managers was $74,240 in 2022, with the lowest 10% earning less than $46,770 and the highest 10% earning more than $123,320.

University of Toronto

Utor healthcare leadership.

In the Healthcare Leadership online program from the Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto with faculty from the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, you’ll gain a toolkit to lead in the unpredictable healthcare environment.

• Gain the knowledge, skills, and competencies to become a change-ready and strategic leader
• 6 weeks, excluding 1 week orientation
• 6–8 hours of self-paced learning per week, entirely online

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Health economics and policy online certificate course.

Develop a deeper understanding of healthcare economics and investigate policy solutions to emergent challenges.

Yale University

Healthcare management online program.

Develop a comprehensive understanding of funding structures and resource flows within the US healthcare industry.

Harvard University

Global health delivery.

Understand the influencing factors of health and disease and gain the skills to drive global healthcare transformation.

Stanford University

Healthcare leadership.

The Healthcare Leadership online short course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE) provides you with the tools and strategies to move from a manager to a leader within your professional context.

• Gain strategies and approaches to enhance your leadership performance as a medical professional
• 8 weeks, excluding 1 week orientation
• 6–9 hours of self-paced learning per week, entirely online

Top-paying locations and industries for public health jobs

Besides the 10 highest paid public health jobs listed above, we have compiled a list of the top-paying locations and industries for certain public health jobs. All data has been gathered from the BLS.

Top-paying locations and industries for health education specialists (May 2022)

Top 5 paying industries (annual mean wage) : 

• Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods
• Federal executive branch
• Business, professional, labor, political and similar organizations
• Scientific research and development services
• General medical and surgical hospitals

Top 5 paying states (annual mean wage) : 

• District of Columbia
• Connecticut
• Rhode Island

Top 5 paying metropolitan areas (annual mean wage) :

• Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT: $120,180
• Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV: $104,520
• Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA: $99,100
• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $97,280 
• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $85,470

Top-paying locations and industries for health and safety engineers (May 2022)

Top 5 paying industries (annual mean wage): 

• Office administrative services
• Oil and gas extraction 
• Petroleum and coal products manufacturing
• Residential building construction
• Remediation and other waste management services

Top 5 paying states (annual mean wage): 

• California 

Top 5 paying metropolitan areas (annual mean wage):

• New Orleans-Metairie, LA: $137,940 
• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $132,970
• Baton Rouge, LA: $131,040 
• Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT: $128,990 
• Idaho Falls, ID: $126,520 

Top-paying locations and industries for environmental scientists and specialists (May 2022)

• Oil and gas extraction
• Natural gas distribution
• Other pipeline transportation
• District of Columbia 
• Colorado 
• Savannah, GA: $175,090
• Idaho Falls, ID: $125,220
• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $118,280
• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $113,480
• Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH: $107,500

Top-paying locations and industries for medical and services managers (May 2022)  

• Navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
• Grantmaking and giving services
• New York 
• Dalton, GA: $172,490 
• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $172,320
• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $171,610
• California-Lexington Park, MD: $171,180 
• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $165,140 

Top-paying locations and industries for statisticians (May 2022)

• Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing
• Merchant wholesalers, non-durable goods
• Aerospace products and parts manufacturing
• Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT: $176,420
• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $163,680 
• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $154,950 
• Syracuse, NY: $138,280 
• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $136,530

Top-paying locations and industries for epidemiologists (May 2022)

• Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals
• Management of companies and enterprises
• Offices of Physicians
• Pennsylvania
• Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY: $137,950
• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $135,690
• Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD: $122,640
• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: $121,330
• Durham-Chapel Hill, NC: $115,780

FAQ on public health jobs and salaries

If you still have questions after reading about the highest-paying careers in public health, refer to the frequently asked questions below or learn more with our guide What Can You Do With a Public Health Degree?

Per the above list of highest-paying public health jobs , computer and information system managers,  attorneys, medical and health services managers, health and safety engineers, and biostatisticians were among the top paid public health careers in 2022.

In general, public health professionals may have higher salaries in large metropolitan areas, such as New York or California, but it largely depends on the types of public health jobs as well.

Most of the public health jobs listed above are projected to grow faster than or about as fast as the average for all occupations (which is 3%) between 2022 and 2032.

Many factors may affect public health salaries including specific roles, location, work setting, experience, education, skill set, and industry. It’s important to take all these factors into consideration when choosing a public health job.

The impact of work settings on public health salaries varies based on factors such as level of responsibility and sector. While some settings might offer higher salaries due to increased demands, specialized roles, or certain public health objectives, others might provide competitive compensation with a focus on individual achievements. Learn about the various factors that can influence earning potential for public health professionals including different types of epidemiologists .

Last updated January 2024.

Chronic Disease Mapping, an Important Strategy and Tool for Health Promotion

GUEST EDITORIAL — Volume 21 — April 25, 2024

Karen Hacker, MD, MPH 1 ; Rachel Kaufmann, PhD, MPH 1 ( View author affiliations )

Suggested citation for this article: Hacker K, Kaufmann R. Chronic Disease Mapping, an Important Strategy and Tool for Health Promotion. Prev Chronic Dis 2024;21:240110. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd21.240110 .

PEER REVIEWED

Author Information

Loss of life from the COVID-19 pandemic has been tremendous over the past several years (1); however, chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer still account for the largest numbers of deaths in the US. Stroke and Alzheimer disease are also among the leading causes of death (2). Chronic disease overall continues to drive national mortality and morbidity (2). Its annual national medical cost exceeds $1 trillion, which doesn’t include the cost to the economy of workdays lost to illness and disability (3). Having a chronic disease like diabetes or cancer is a risk factor for severe morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 (4). We know that many chronic diseases can be prevented (5) and that risk behaviors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity are the leading contributors to preventable chronic disease (6). As we move forward, our country’s ability to remain resilient is dependent on chronic disease prevention and management (7).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) is dedicated to preventing chronic disease and promoting health and wellness for all. Our 9 divisions work in major areas related to both risk factors such as smoking and physical inactivity and diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders (7). Strategies fall into 4 domains: epidemiology and surveillance to understand the prevalence and incidence of conditions and behaviors over time, environmental approaches aimed at shifting behaviors and offering opportunities for healthy living to all, health care interventions that identify disease early and help manage chronic conditions, and connecting people to the clinical care and resources they need to thrive (8). NCCDPHP relies on various types of public health surveillance data, such as individual interviews about health behaviors, clinical and laboratory data, tracking cancer survivors’ medical journeys, sales data documenting Americans’ use of tobacco and food, and vital statistics from birth and death certificates (9). These are used to understand the population’s health status and trends, identify emerging issues, and evaluate whether interventions aimed at improving health have been successful.

Helping communities, state and local partners, and all interested parties understand the prevalence of chronic disease is always a challenge. Over the last few decades, visualization has become enormously helpful (10). Mapping information that helps people literally see where conditions disproportionately affect specific areas and groups has proved enlightening. Maps created by using geographic information systems — GIS — provide the public with clear, easy-to-understand information on patterns, relationships, and levels of disease or behavior within specific geographic areas (11). For example, a study of life expectancy at birth showed disparities as large as 20.1 years across US counties, with the lowest life expectancies clustered in the Southeast and Appalachia and the highest clustered in Colorado and the California coast (12).

Animated maps can also depict changes over time. Take for example maps of the obesity epidemic, which provided a stark understanding of the epidemic’s expansion (13). Or maps of opioid overdoses, which demonstrated the severe loss of life that occurred from 2011 through 2017 (14). More recently, maps of COVID-19 morbidity linked with maps of chronic disease helped local communities direct vaccination and other mitigation efforts (15). The value of the “Aha!” moment that occurs when you see the public health surveillance data in a GIS visualization cannot be overestimated. For example, in 1995, a map of blood lead testing results for young children attending WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) clinics in Salt Lake County, Utah, showed that 76% of children with elevated blood lead levels resided in a contiguous area comprising 10% of the county (16). Consequently, the Salt Lake city and county health departments reached out to parents and physicians to encourage screening of young children living in that area. Screenings increased significantly, and additional children with elevated levels were identified. This early mapping application was uncomplicated yet revealing, providing the exact information local health departments needed to take appropriate action.

Although mapping for public health action may have begun with John Snow’s famous demonstration in 1854 of a cholera-contaminated water source (17), use of GIS in public health has proliferated over the past several decades. Today’s digital maps can involve multiple layers integrating disparate types and sources of information. GIS allows users to create maps that can examine health-related factors by location, elevation, and time. Users can integrate relevant information about population density, air quality, neighborhood wealth index, transportation routes, and food availability, as just a few examples. These “geospatial determinants of health” (18) need to be identified and shared with the people who set policy, plan interventions, treat patients, and organize communities.

In recent years, NCCDPHP has used GIS extensively to identify areas of high and low disease prevalence, and environments that dispose populations to high and low risk of chronic disease. These locations might benefit from directed interventions, producing changes over time. NCCDPHP has also sponsored efforts to increase the use of GIS by health departments. From 2018 through 2020, NCCDPHP’s Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention published GIS Express for Chronic Disease , a newsletter for public health professionals to share GIS-related information (19). NCCDPHP has also supported the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors’ GIS Capacity Building Project, which provides GIS training for state and local health departments and established the Chronic Disease GIS Network to connect, support, and highlight public health professionals using GIS to address chronic disease priorities (20,21).

This Preventing Chronic Disease collection features 6 peer-reviewed articles that highlight examples of NCCDPHP’s use of GIS in preventing and addressing chronic diseases. Most were submitted in 2023 in response to a call for papers in the journal’s article category, “GIS Snapshots,” and one essay featuring GIS maps was published before the journal’s call for papers. GIS Snapshots are intended to highlight the public health application of maps in a brief format, demonstrate how GIS informs chronic disease prevention and treatment, and inspire others to use GIS in their work (22). The articles in this collection document how GIS can be used to identify populations at greatest risk, locations for public health interventions, and sometimes-surprising relationships requiring more in-depth research.

The essay by Petersen et al (23) includes maps illustrating how obesity prevalence varies startlingly across the United States — not just by region, but also by race and ethnicity. While the obesity epidemic has affected the entire nation, its burden falls especially on non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Americans. The Evans et al article (24) also examined national disparities by race and by county, this time for stroke. They found that counties with the highest number of stroke deaths were similar for Black and White Americans, but counties with the highest stroke hospitalization rates had more divergence, a finding that suggests avenues for future study in stroke care.

Geolocating areas where resources are needed can be useful for decision makers as they consider interventions directed at patients, clinicians, and the general public. In the Wittman et al (25), Fujii et al (26), and Richardson et al (27) articles, authors sought information critical for focusing these future interventions. Wittman et al found that in Appalachia, economically distressed counties are less likely to have a diabetes self-management program, even though having to travel a long distance to participate may be an important barrier to program use in these communities. Such analyses can provide decision makers with important information about where new programs are needed to improve access. In a similar vein, Fujii et al examined locations of barber and beauty shops as potential community-based resources in fighting hypertension. Their analysis demonstrates the potential feasibility of bringing the LA Barbershop Model (28), in which blood pressure screenings are offered at community-friendly locations, to other cities. Richardson et al examined state-level improvements in colorectal cancer screening rates to elucidate patterns of use and opportunities for improvement. Although screening prevalence has increased in every state since 2012, 22 states did not meet the national target screening rate for 2020. Lastly, GIS visualizations can also prompt additional unanswered questions. For example, the analysis by Han et al (29) of chronic kidney disease and poverty at the county level showed that outcomes do not always follow predicted patterns. Poverty and chronic kidney disease were not always related as expected, and the pattern seemed to vary by region.

The articles in this collection demonstrate just a few recent uses of GIS at NCCDPHP. Mapping is used extensively by CDC programs and partners to highlight features such as prevalence and geographic distribution of risk factors, disease outcomes, and community characteristics. Geographic visualizations can be important tools during emergency responses but also play a key role in understanding relationships among disorders, risk factors, environmental context, and other factors. In 2019, Preventing Chronic Disease published an article collection, Population Health, Place, and Space: Spatial Perspectives in Chronic Disease Research and Practice . The articles in that collection provided insights on how using GIS mapping advances understanding of connections between community-level characteristics and population health and showed innovative ways of developing and applying new spatial statistical methods and geospatial tools in public health and how maps and geospatial results can be used to guide program and policy decisions (30).

Today, GIS competency is necessary for public health departments across the nation at local, county, and state levels (31). Its use will continue to evolve, and we look forward to applying it to additional chronic disease issues. As artificial intelligence becomes more available, this too will help to drive GIS capacity, such that large datasets can be transformed into clearly visible spatial analyses (32). For further information on the work across NCCDPHP and to download state and local chronic disease data for your own GIS maps, visit the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Open Data Portal (www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/data/indicators.htm).

Corresponding Author: Karen Hacker, MD, MPH, Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta GA 30341 ( [email protected] ).

Author Affiliations: 1 National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID data tracker. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Leading causes of death. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
• Waters H, Graf M. The costs of chronic disease in the U.S. Milken Institute, Santa Monica; 2018. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://milkeninstitute.org/report/costs-chronic-disease-us
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with certain medical conditions. Updated February 10, 2023. Accessed April 12, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How you can prevent chronic diseases. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/prevent/index.htm
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About chronic diseases. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm
• Hacker K. The burden of chronic disease. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes . 2024;8(1):112–119. PubMed doi:10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2023.08.005
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: about the center. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/center/index.htm
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic disease data. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/data/index.htm
• Casper M, Kramer MR, Peacock JM, Vaughan AS. Population health, place, and space: spatial perspectives in chronic disease research and practice. Prev Chronic Dis . 2019;16:E123. PubMed doi:10.5888/pcd16.190237
• US Geological Survey. What is a geographic information system (GIS)? Accessed March 4, 2024. https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-geographic-information-system-gis
• Dwyer-Lindgren L, Bertozzi-Villa A, Stubbs RW, Morozoff C, Mackenbach JP, van Lenthe FJ, et al. . Inequalities in life expectancy among US counties, 1980 to 2014: temporal trends and key drivers. JAMA Intern Med . 2017;177(7):1003–1011. PubMed doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.0918
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult obesity prevalence maps. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html
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Inaugural Symposium Highlights Need for Allyship and Equity in Global Health

Keynote address - building equity in global health: the role for global north actors.

Professor Madhukar Pai, MD, PhD, FRSC, presenting his keynote address on global health equity.

Nearly 200 people attended the Yale Institute for Global Health’s (YIGH) inaugural Global Health Symposium on April 5. The day-long event featured opportunities to learn about YIGH programs, including seed grants, faculty networks, and fellowship opportunities for students. There was also a session on how to navigate Yale's policies to support global health programs, and lightning talks on a wide variety of faculty and student initiatives in global health. But it was the powerful keynote address by Professor Madhukar Pai, MD , a leading international voice for global health equity and chair of the Department of Global and Public Health at McGill University, that best captured the day’s focus on re-envisioning the future of global health. In an address that would later be described as “searingly honest”, “inspiring”, and “essential” to anyone working in the field of global health, Pai spoke on, “Building Equity in Global Health: The Role for Global North Actors.” A complete recording of Dr. Pai’s address can be found on Yale University’s YouTube page.

Backed by extensive research and analysis, Pai showed how every aspect of global health today is dominated by Global North individuals with power and privilege. He said that if global health is truly to be reimagined or decolonized, Global North actors must shift from saviorism to allyship. He concluded his presentation by sharing several examples of how greater equity is happening in global health. But he described the advances as “baby steps” that have only been possible through allyship, sustained focus, deliberate intention, “and lots of hard work.”

“Global health has a long history of failing on equity, again and again and again,” said Pai, who grew up in Vellore, India and is a leading researcher in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in vulnerable populations. “The field itself is structurally inequitable. And I argue that a structurally inequitable field can never truly solve inequities…regardless of how good individuals are, it is not designed to solve it.” “To bring equity,” Pai continued, “not only do we need to shift from saviorism to allyship, we have to confront the serious obstacles to allyship within our institutions.”

He noted how largely white, male, well-educated professionals from the Global North dominate the largest global health organizations of the world, oversee the dispersion of massive amounts of private research funding, and control the editorial agenda of the world’s leading scientific global health journals. “We are the gatekeepers of knowledge in this world, dominant, beyond dominant,” said Pai, who early on acknowledged his own privilege as a highly educated male professional working at a leading research institution in the Global North. “The bottom line is that you and I hold enormous power and privilege in global health,” he said. “To approach this field without a deep appreciation of our own power and privilege is a massive mistake.” Pai cited the COVAX initiative as a “stunning example” of a well-intended yet “totally naïve” attempt by the Global North to help the Global South in a way that utterly failed to recognize the region’s true needs and realities on the ground. The historic multilateral effort was intended to guarantee fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to all countries of the world. But in reality, COVID vaccines were hoarded in the Global North and African countries lagged far beyond others in getting badly needed vaccines during the height of the pandemic. Pai said that if global health leaders in the Global North had truly listened to what their peers in the Global South were saying, the response would have been different. “What our Global South colleagues are clearly articulating…and they have said this in article after article, is that “We are sick and tired of this charity model,’” Pai told the audience. “We want to make our own damn vaccines…just give us the recipe. We’ll take care of it.” Yet, we still don’t have a pathway for manufacturing vaccines where it is needed most.”

Pai said that he frequently attends conferences in the Global South where he hears time and time again from public health leaders who want to determine their own agenda. They want autonomy and respect, Pai said. They want the Global North to be an ally not a savior. One way Pai has personally worked toward advancing equity in global health is through his role as editor-in-chief of the journal PLOS Global Public Health . A key part of the journal’s mission is to amplify the voices of underrepresented and historically excluded communities and to prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion at all levels. Pai urged seasoned professors at the symposium to step aside and encourage their Global South collaborators to take more of a leading role in authoring research papers and leading studies. Afterall, it is often their populations and their patients from which much of the research data is drawn, he said. Recognizing and elevating underrepresented colleagues is key, Pai said. As an instructor of a global health course at McGill, Pai said he no longer teaches his students about AIDS in Africa. He invites an AIDS expert in Africa to do so instead. Zoom makes it all possible.

In another example of advancing equity, Pai said some innovative institutions like York University in Toronto, encourage faculty to elevate their underrepresented counterparts in studies and make sure their research funding is distributed equitably. This, Pai said, is in sharp contrast to other institutions that insist faculty serve as lead or senior authors on papers to be candidates for promotion. In closing, Pai said that the Global South must also work to take greater ownership of its public health pursuits for equity to happen. By building and strengthening its resources, the Global South will eventually succeed in getting the Global North to relinquish its power. It is then, Pai said, that allyship will be the only option.

Several times during the Q&A portion of his presentation, Pai acknowledged the innovative work of Yale School of Public Health Professor Sunil Parikh and Professor Yap Boum II , executive director of the Pasteur Institute in Bangui, Central African Republic. Along with student trainees Daniel Hodson and Yannick Mbarga Etoundi, the pair created the Douala Equity Checklist for evaluating global health projects as part of the funding and screening process. The 20-item checklist aims to force science teams to think about equity during every step of the research process. It also provides opportunities for collaborators in low- and middle-income countries to have a greater voice in determining the methods and goals of a study, the terms of collaborations, and whether collaborations should occur at all.

That sort of innovation is exactly what the Yale Institute for Global Health is designed to encourage, said Dr. Megan L. Ranney, MD, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, which supports YIGH along with Yale’s schools of medicine and nursing.

“In public health and global health, you need to work with others across disciplines,” Ranney said during her opening remarks at the symposium. “This is the space to create new collaborations which ignite and better global health.” As part of its effort to ignite new collaborations, YIGH announced during the symposium the launch of its signature seed grants for faculty, the Global Health Spark Award and the Hecht Global Health Faculty Network Award . The Spark Award – up to $10,000 – supports YIGH-affiliated faculty as they identify, coordinate, and/or prepare for global health work. The Hecht Award – up to $50,000 – supports YIGH Faculty Networks to promote new research and programs in global health.

Featured in this article

• Sunil Parikh, MD, MPH Associate Professor of Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases) and of Infectious Diseases
• Megan L. Ranney, MD, MPH Dean of Yale School of Public Health and C.-E. A. Winslow Professor of Public Health (Health Policy) and Professor of Emergency Medicine

Health Promotion Health Equity Program Director

• Madison, Wisconsin
• SCHOOL OF EDUCATION/KINESIOLOGY-GEN
• Teaching and Learning
• Staff-Full Time
• Opening at: Apr 24 2024 at 16:15 CDT
• Closing at: May 19 2024 at 23:55 CDT

Job Summary:

The Kinesiology Department, together with the Departments of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education and Counseling Psychology, offers an undergraduate major in Health Promotion and Health Equity (HPHE). HPHE was recently named one of the fastest growing undergraduate programs on the UW-Madison campus and as of spring 2024 has over 300 declared majors. This major is intended to prepare students to work in health promotion and/or educator positions in health care and community organization settings. We are particularly committed to preparing students to improve health and well-being in diverse communities. The major is also designed to prepare students for graduate training in public health and allied health professions. We are interested in applicants who will contribute to our collegial work environment and will help us build on the University of Wisconsin's long tradition of collaborative and transdisciplinary work. Our institution and department are guided by the Wisconsin Idea, which commits our efforts to improving the lives of individuals and communities in the State of Wisconsin and beyond. The Program Director will coordinate cross-departmental communications to provide regular updates and identify areas of need for the major. This individual will assist in organizing relevant committee meetings and continue to improve efforts for student recruitment and retention. They will assist in assessing program learning outcomes and reviewing content in required courses with respect to their alignment with current health-related competencies. They will identify and work with campus/community partners to develop and foster mutually beneficial relationships. Additionally, the Program Director will teach core and elective classes within the HPHE major.

Responsibilities:

• 10% Designs curriculum and/or techniques for instruction in a disciplinary area and suggests new ways of effective instruction in courses within discipline
• 5% Assesses learner performance and prepares reports recommending instructional improvements
• 10% Develops teaching techniques that enhance course effectiveness in alignment with desired outcomes and established strategy and trains faculty and other instructional staff in use of instructional techniques and programs. Presents evaluations of teaching methods and techniques to those in the institution and elsewhere
• 20% Provides classroom, online, and/or laboratory instruction, including grading
• 5% Supervises the day-to-day activities of work unit employees involved in instructional support as needed
• 10% Assists in defining the objectives of the program and plays a major role in carrying out program duties
• 5% Oversees curriculum design and instruction of other instructors
• 5% Leads unit level course programming and alignment with unit policy, procedures, guidelines, and instructional focus
• 5% Advises unit director on instructional budget and personnel decisions
• 5% Provides professional development around curriculum development and program implementation to support other instructors in the unit
• 20% Direct HPHE program including organizing committees, communicating across departments and with students

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Preferred PhD in Health Education or Kinesiology related field Required MS degree in Health Education or Kinesiology related field

Qualifications:

Minimum 3 years instructional experience teaching health-related content at the collegiate level Demonstrated leadership Strong organization and communication skills

Full Time: 100% It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Minimum $75,000 ACADEMIC (9 months) Depending on Qualifications

How to Apply:

Please upload CV/Resume, cover letter, and a list of 3 references. For questions on the position contact: Dr. Morgan Shields [email protected] . 

Morgan Shields [email protected] 608-263-2609 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Teaching Faculty IV(TL031)

Department(s):

A17-SCHOOL OF EDUCATION/KINESIOLOGY

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

The university of wisconsin-madison is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer..

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