Public health as career choice

Ranjan K Baruah *

All of us are concerned about health and wellness. Educated people are more aware of health while there is lack of awareness amongst masses in rural areas. Due to lack of awareness the health scenario in the country is not very good in comparison with some other developed countries. In this regard many terms are being used by us and one of such term is 'public health.'

Public health refers to "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting human health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals."

It is concerned with threats to health based on population health analysis. The population in question can be as small as a handful of people, or as large as all the inhabitants of several continents. The dimensions of health can encompass "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity," as defined by World Health Organization.

The focus of public health intervention is to improve health and quality of life through prevention and treatment of disease and other physical and mental health conditions.

This is done through surveillance of cases and health indicators, and through promotion of healthy behaviors. Examples of common public health measures include promotion of hand washing, breastfeeding, delivery of vaccinations, suicide prevention, etc.

India is experiencing a rapid health transition. It is confronted both by an unfinished agenda of infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies and unsafe pregnancies as well as the challenge of escalating epidemics of non-communicable diseases.

This composite threat to the nation's health and development needs a concerted public health response that can ensure efficient delivery of cost-effective interventions for health promotion, disease prevention and affordable diagnostic and therapeutic health care.

One may think of public health as career choice. There are courses and institutes that offer courses related to public health management or administration. One may choose to take up the courses.

After completing the course aspirants may get jobs or placement in health department, various international organisations, nongovernmental organization, etc which are focused and specialization on public health. The best part is one need not be doctors to work in public health sector.

There are department like public health engineers where we find engineers working in the department. Public health demands expertise on public health management, so doing a course in this regard might be useful for our students.

Aspirants must remember that one may not get the job immediately after doing the course. One needs to have other skills apart from qualification to be successful in this field. With proper planning and qualification our students may work in this field and extend their service for the need of the community and others for positive social transformation.

Scholarships Updates:

OFID Scholarships: Aspirants may apply for scholarships from OPEC Fund for International Development. Student may select a subject of study that pertains to OFID's core mission, such as: economics of development (poverty reduction, energy and sustainable development), environment (desertification), or other related science and technology fields. Applicants must complete the on-line application on or before 1st May.