About
Public health is the science of preventing disease, promoting health, and prolonging life within entire populations. Unlike clinicians who treat patients individually after they become sick, public health professionals examine the community as the ‘patient’ then work to identify the root causes of health problems and implement larger-scale solutions to promote health and prevent injury or illness.
Building upon a strong public health foundation, our professional programs prepare students to positively influence the health of individuals and communities. Students develop distinct skills including the ability to develop, advocate, implement and assess programs that improve the health of individuals and whole communities.
Students participate in internships, research, community-engaged projects, and various professional development opportunities, including conferences and research showcases. PHE faculty are known for their expertise in racial health disparities, reproductive justice, youth- and collegiate athlete well-being, and community-engaged scholarship. The Department of Public Health Education is affiliated with the Center for Athlete Well-being, the Center for Women’s Health and Wellness, and Healthy UNCG, all of which offer unique opportunities for student involvement.
Demand for Public Health Education graduates is high, and they are prepared to pursue a multitude of exciting career avenues in settings such as local or state health departments, community health outreach, medical facilities, employee wellness, nonprofits, private practice (e.g., as a health coach or health educator), advocacy, education, government, and sports.
Degrees Offered
Department Highlights
- Use a strong social justice and health equity lens that informs our curriculum, guides our research, and influences our collaborative efforts
- Advocate for social equity and reproductive justice
- Work in communities to connect refugees with vaccines and other resources
- Develop intervention programs in local neighborhoods to prevent gun violence
- Study ways to increase access to breast cancer treatment for Black women and disparities in cardiovascular health in Latinx
- Develop and implement programs to help college athletes avoid substance abuse, and increase concussion reporting among coaches
- Empower individuals to make healthy changes in their everyday lives
The Program
The Department of Public Health Education (PHE) is a community of scholars, educators, researchers, and learners. We are focused on promoting health within communities and on changing lives. We accomplish this through:
- Conducting translational research
- Collaborating across disciplines
- Advancing knowledge in health education and public health
- Engaging in community-based practices
- Developing, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs
- Assessing health needs in communities and with communities
Public Health Education is a dynamic department with faculty members that have been trained in a variety of disciplines and have unique research interests. The multitude of interests and experiences, all focused around community health promotion, creates a lively and engaged interdisciplinary experience.