In recent years, the federal government has embarked on a series of missions to reduce the cost of healthcare and increase the health of the average American by educating people on the dangers of everything from obesity to texting while driving. This renewed emphasis in public education and preventative care has placed the public health profession at the forefront of occupational growth, with hiring ramping up faster than in various other occupations. Even so, the successful public health professional needs to know where to target their efforts when applying for jobs with government agencies that advocate for a healthier, safer, more educated populace.
Health and Human Services is a Great Place to Start
The Department of Health and Human Services is perhaps the single largest employer of public health professionals at the federal level. The agency oversees everything from the regulation of health insurance plans and premiums to things like obesity education campaigns, research into the causes and effects of popular diseases and disorders, and the condition of hospitals throughout the country.
The Department of Health and Human Services also manages its own outreach efforts in communities across the country, developing informational brochures and setting up community meetings that discuss local health, national disease issues, and metrics that affect patient care and hospital quality. This is where public health employees can really shine. Federal programs give candidates the freedom they need to connect with the public and pursue leadership roles that can change the very nature of federal policy.
The Veteran’s Administration is a Great Option as Well
Though the Department of Health and Human Services is the most popular federal agency for public health professionals, the Veteran’s Administration is another key way for public health experts to make a real difference. In this capacity, those with at least an undergraduate degree in the field will focus on things like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and proactive education campaigns that encourage veterans to meet with a professional regularly after they return from active duty abroad.
These positions are among the most competitive in the entire public health industry, but they’re also among the most rewarding. Because so many people feel strongly about giving back to those who have served the United States in a military capacity, the ability to work with the VA toward better veterans’ health and awareness is considered a real opportunity for growth, charity, and collaboration across departmental lines.
State Governments are Always Hiring Public Health Experts
While the federal government might be considered the “end game” for many in the public health sector, it’s worth noting that state agencies are full of jobs for people in this field. Furthermore, these jobs often allow candidates to stay local, rather than moving to their nearest VA hospital or to Washington, D.C., to work with the Department of Health and Human Services.
State departments of health routinely hire public health experts to assist with things like developing and rolling out healthcare exchanges, advertising Medicaid programs, and encouraging that all residents of the state seek preventative care options. That might include running flu shot clinics, setting up impromptu clinics for the uninsured, or working on marketing campaigns to boost sate health. All of these are worthy causes.
Whether the jobs are in federal government or state agencies, opportunities for those with a thorough education in public health can be found at all levels. Each job is rewarding for its own unique reasons, and will offer job candidates diverse opportunities for growth, collaboration, and proactive public outreach.