What Can You Do With a Public Health Degree?

This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice.

A public health degree typically centers on improving the health and well-being of populations and communities rather than treating individual patients one-on-one. Instead of focusing solely on clinical care, public health examines the broader factors that influence health outcomes such as environment, policy, education, access to care, and social conditions.

A master’s degree in public health is typically designed to help students understand how to prevent disease, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities, and influence systems that shape community health. Coursework may explore epidemiology, environmental health, research methods, biostatistics, healthcare policy, leadership, and community engagement.¹

Public Health Agencies (State, Local, and Federal)

Governmental agencies and public health organizations form the foundation of the public health system in the United States. According to research published by the National Academy of Sciences^®, local, state, and federal health agencies collectively deliver what are known as the Essential Public Health Services, core activities that protect and improve community health.²

At the local level, health departments operate on the front lines of public health. Agencies such as the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health work directly within communities to monitor health trends, investigate disease outbreaks, conduct inspections, support environmental health standards, and implement prevention initiatives.³

At the state level, departments typically provide core functions of public health like assessing the health outlook, policy development, and assurance across all domains of health protection and health promotion activities.⁴

At the federal level, agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention^®⁵ and the Department of Health and Human Services⁶ provide national guidance, research, technical assistance, and funding. Federal agencies play a key role in disease surveillance, data collection, public health research, emergency preparedness planning across states and territories.

Across all three levels, public health agencies are typically responsible for:²

• Monitoring health status to identify community health problems
• Investigating and responding to disease outbreaks and hazards
• Informing and educating communities about health risks
• Developing policies that support health protection
• Enforcing regulations that safeguard environmental and population health
• Assuring a competent public health workforce

Government Public Health Agencies

Public health also intersects with government agencies beyond traditional health departments. Health considerations are embedded in many areas of public policy, from disaster preparedness to housing and transportation planning.

For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency integrates public health principles into public safety and emergency response. Environmental, transportation, and housing departments at various levels of government frequently consider how policies affect air quality, safety, accessibility, and community well-being.⁷

Healthcare Providers and Organizations

Healthcare organizations and public health systems are increasingly described as interconnected parts of a broader healthcare system. An article published through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention^® emphasizes that protecting community health works best when clinical care and public health operate as coordinated partners rather than separate systems.⁸

Healthcare providers focus on diagnosing and treating individual patients, while public health professionals analyze data, monitor trends, and develop prevention strategies that improve outcomes across entire populations. When these two areas collaborate, healthcare systems can better identify emerging risks, address disparities, and implement prevention-focused initiatives that reach beyond clinical settings.⁸

Integrated health systems and academic medical centers such as Kaiser Permanente^® may incorporate population health strategies, wellness programs and healthcare administration into care delivery.⁹

The study also highlights several ways healthcare organizations and public health systems intersect:⁸

Sharing public health data to track health trends, like:

• Coordinating during disease outbreaks
• Aligning quality improvement initiatives with health promotion goals
• Addressing social and environmental health factors

Public Safety Agencies

Public safety and public health are closely connected in areas like injury prevention, emergency response coordination, and crisis preparedness. Agencies like the New York City Fire Department often work alongside public health education initiatives to support safer communities and protect population health.¹⁰

Public safety professionals play a critical role during public health emergencies. According to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, law enforcement and other public safety agencies frequently coordinate with public health authorities to manage outbreaks, enforce quarantine or isolation measures, secure healthcare facilities, and assist with distribution of critical supplies. Effective response relies on pre-established partnerships, planning, and training to integrate public health considerations into safety operations.¹¹

Public health graduates may bring valuable expertise to these efforts by applying knowledge of disease transmission, community health trends, and emergency preparedness planning. They may contribute to cross-sector initiatives, including:¹¹

• Developing all-hazards preparedness plans
• Supporting risk messaging to educate communities
• Analyzing public health data to identify high-risk populations
• Coordinating with healthcare facilities and local health departments

Human Service and Charity Organizations

Nonprofit organizations and community-based human service programs often collaborate with public health agencies to reduce health disparities, provide health education, and promote disease prevention through outreach and community engagement, particularly among vulnerable populations.¹²

Research has shown that charitable medical care and nonprofit health programs can have measurable positive effects on population health. For example, one study found that charitable medical donations improve physical and mental health outcomes by increasing access to services and supporting care quality for underserved communities.¹³

Another study highlighted how human service programs addressing social determinants of health, such as housing, nutrition, and behavioral support may contribute to overall community well-being.¹⁴

Organizations such as the American Red Cross^® and United Way Worldwide^® operate community-based initiatives that address urgent and long-term needs.

Education Institutions

Education contributes to public health through research and training. Universities and colleges conduct studies on population health, epidemiology, environmental health, health behaviors, and policy, generating evidence that informs public health practice. Academic programs provide structured learning in these areas, developing skills in research methods, data analysis, and community engagement.¹⁵

Rasmussen University does not conduct studies on population health, epidemiology, environmental health, or health behaviors and policy.

Education and Youth Development Organizations

Beyond colleges and universities, public health intersects with youth-focused programs and community education initiatives. Youth development organizations may address nutrition, physical activity, mental health awareness, substance use prevention, and social-emotional learning. Research indicates that young people can act as active participants and leaders in taking steps toward improving community conditions for health, influencing local policies, environments, and programs that shape well-being. Programs that engage youth not only support healthy development but may also build civic leadership and skills that connect to broader public health efforts.¹⁶

Recreation and Arts-Related Organizations

Public health extends beyond clinical or policy settings into community culture, including arts and recreation. Arts and cultural organizations can serve as platforms for communicating health information, fostering engagement, and strengthening connections within communities. By using creative forms such as film, theater, street art and music, these groups can make public health messaging more relatable and accessible, especially in diverse or underserved communities.¹⁷

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, collaborations between public health partners and arts organizations demonstrated this potential: Grants supporting arts‑based initiatives helped organizations engage communities across numerous states to share essential information about vaccination and preventive measures through performances, murals, films, and workshops. These efforts reached audiences through dozens of events and creative media, illustrating how cultural engagement can support public health communication in ways that resonate beyond traditional outreach models.¹⁷

Arts and recreation can also contribute to health promotion by encouraging physical activity, enhancing mental well‑being, and creating attractive, inclusive public spaces that draw people together. Creative activities and cultural events have been associated with improvements in social connectedness, resilience, and community cohesion, which are factors relevant to population health.¹⁸

Economic and Philanthropic Organizations

Philanthropic organizations support public health initiatives through funding, research and program development. Private philanthropic spending on public health programs in the United States has been significant: Estimates suggest that nongovernment philanthropy contributes a measurable portion of overall health spending through grants, research support, and community benefit activities, reflecting the role of foundations, nonprofits, and donor‑supported programs in the broader health ecosystem. These contributions include flexible funds that support capacity building, preparedness efforts, and collaboration with governmental public health agencies and local partners.¹⁹

Philanthropic entities often support areas that may be less resourced within traditional public health funding streams. By providing funding that complements public sector investments, these organizations help sustain research, pilot new models of care and prevention, and contribute to the evidence base that informs policy and practice.¹⁹

Environmental Agencies and Organizations

Environmental conditions may strongly influence public health, affecting air quality, water safety, chemical exposures, and climate-related risks. Agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collaborate with public health organizations at the local and state levels to translate environmental research into practical tools, training, and programs that support community health.²⁰

These collaborations address issues like air pollution, wildfire smoke, harmful algal blooms, lead and PFAS exposure, and emergency preparedness. Through resources such as environmental monitoring apps and data platforms, environmental agencies help public health professionals assess risks, plan interventions, and protect populations.²⁰

Seeing the Bigger Picture

As you explore public health degree programs, consider which environments and issues resonate most with you.

The field focuses on improving the health and well-being of communities rather than treating individual patients. It emphasizes understanding broader factors that influence health, such as environment, policy, education, access to care, and social conditions. A master’s degree in public health may reflect this focus through topics such as disease prevention, health promotion, reducing health disparities, and examining the systems that shape community health.¹

National Academy of Sciences^® is a registered trademark of National Academy of Sciences 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, District of Columbia, United States, 20418.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention^® is a registered trademark of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Bldg. 31 Room 2B 5031 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892.
Kaiser Permanente^® is a registered trademark of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. One Kaiser Plaza, Oakland, California, United States, 94612.
American Red Cross^® is a registered trademark of The American National Red Cross 431 18th Street, NW Washington, District of Columbia, United States, 20006.
United Way Worldwide^® is a registered trademark of United Way Worldwide, 701 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia, United States, 22314.

¹Rasmussen University, Master of Public Health, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/health-sciences/master-public-health/ (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
²National Library of Medicine, Who Will Keep the Public Healthy?,Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Educating Public Health Professionals for the 21st Century; Gebbie K, Rosenstock L, Hernandez LM, editors. Who Will Keep the Public Healthy? Educating Public Health Professionals for the 21st Century. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2003. 6, Public Health Agencies: Their Roles in Educating Public Health Professionals. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221185/ (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
³Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/aboutus/aboutdisplay.cfm?ou=ph&pr#:~:text=About%20the%20Department%20of%20Public,persons%20in%20Los%20Angeles%20County.(accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
⁴Beitsch, L. M., Brooks, R. G., Grigg, M., & Menachemi, N., Structure and Functions of State Public Health Agencies, at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1470433/ (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
⁵Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at https://www.cdc.gov/index.html (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
⁶U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), at https://www.hhs.gov/ (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
⁷Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), How FEMA Works, at https://www.fema.gov/about/how-fema-works (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
⁸Wong, C. A., Houry, D., & Cohen, M. K. (2024). Integrating Public Health and Health Care - Protecting Health as a Team Sport. The New England journal of medicine, 390(19), 1739–1742. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp2403274 (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
⁹Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy, Integrated Care Stories: An Overview of Our Integrated Care Model, at https://www.kpihp.org/blog/integrated-care-stories-overview/ (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
¹⁰New York City Fire Department (FDNY), Fire and Life Safety, at https://www.nyc.gov/site/fdny/education/fire-and-life-safety/fire-life-safety.page (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
¹¹Bureau of Justice Assistance, Public Health and Safety Partnerships, at https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/bja/214333.pdf (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
¹²The Pew Charitable Trusts, Nonprofit leaders see potential to improve health equity through cross-sector partnerships, at https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2022/06/16/nonprofit-leaders-see-potential-to-improve-health-equity-through-cross-sector-partnerships (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
¹³Han, B., & Zhang, Q. (2025). An empirical study on the impact of charitable medical care on residents' health level. Frontiers in public health, 13, 1591503. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1591503/full (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
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¹⁵Hahn, R. A., & Truman, B. I. (2015). Education Improves Public Health and Promotes Health Equity. International journal of health services : planning, administration, evaluation, 45(4), 657–678. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020731415585986 (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
¹⁶National Academy of Medicine, The Power of Youth in Improving Community Conditions for Health, at https://nam.edu/perspectives/the-power-of-youth-in-improving-community-conditions-for-health/ (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
¹⁷CDC Foundation, Using Arts to Improve Public Health, at https://www.cdcfoundation.org/stories/using-arts-improve-public-health (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
¹⁸CDC Foundation, Arts and Public Health, at https://www.cdcfoundation.org/arts (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
¹⁹Shaw-Taylor Y. (2016). Nongovernment Philanthropic Spending on Public Health in the United States. American journal of public health, 106(1), 58–62. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302888 (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).
²⁰U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), EPA Partners with Public Health Associations, at https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-partners-public-health-associations (accessed Feb. 23, 2026).