Public Health

Public health is "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". Analyzing the health of a population and the threats is the basis for public health. The "public" in question can be as small as a handful of people, an entire village or it can be as large as several continents, in the case of a pandemic. "Health" takes into account physical, mental and social well-being. It is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, according to the World Health Organization. Public health is interdisciplinary. For example, epidemiology, biostatistics and health services are all relevant. Environmental health, community health, behavioral health, health economics, public policy, mental health and occupational safety, gender issues in health, sexual and reproductive health are other important subfields.

Public health aims to improve the quality of life through prevention and treatment of disease, including mental health. This is done through the surveillance of cases and health indicators, and through the promotion of healthy behaviors. Common public health initiatives include promoting handwashing and breastfeeding, delivery of vaccinations, suicide prevention and distribution of condoms to control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Modern public health practice requires multidisciplinary teams of public health workers and professionals. Teams might include epidemiologists, biostatisticians, medical assistants, public health nurses, midwives, medical microbiologists, economists, sociologists, geneticists and data managers. Depending on the need environmental health officers or public health inspectors, bioethicists, and even veterinarians, gender experts, sexual and reproductive health specialists might be called on.

Access to health care and public health initiatives are difficult challenges in developing countries. Public health infrastructures are still forming in those countries.

* Description and images provided by Wikipedia under CC-BY-SA 3.0 license .

Scholarships for Public Health Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Up to $30,000 Varies See Details
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

award

Up to $30,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Voyager Scholarship for Public Service

Obama Foundation

Up to $25,000 March 27, 2024 See Details
 

Voyager Scholarship for Public Service

Obama Foundation

award

Up to $25,000

deadline

March 27, 2024
See Details
 

Big Bang Theory Graduate Fellowship-PAID

University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)

$20,000 May 01, 2024 See Details
 

Big Bang Theory Graduate Fellowship-PAID

University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)

award

$20,000

deadline

May 01, 2024
See Details
 

Willard L. Eccles Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Utah State University, College of Science

$18,000 Varies See Details
 

Willard L. Eccles Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Utah State University, College of Science

award

$18,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Brave of Heart Scholarship

New York Life Foundation and Cigna Foundation

Up to $50,000 April 24, 2024 See Details
 

Brave of Heart Scholarship

New York Life Foundation and Cigna Foundation

award

Up to $50,000

deadline

April 24, 2024
See Details
 

Allman Medical Scholarship

Miss America Pageant

Up to $10,000 Varies See Details
 

Allman Medical Scholarship

Miss America Pageant

award

Up to $10,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Excellence in Allied Health Scholarship - NMC

Nebraska Methodist College

$6,000 Varies See Details
 

Excellence in Allied Health Scholarship - NMC

Nebraska Methodist College

award

$6,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Manhattan Graduate Scholars Program for Partners in Healthcare

Binghamton University - State University of New York

$5,250 Varies See Details
 

Manhattan Graduate Scholars Program for Partners in Healthcare

Binghamton University - State University of New York

award

$5,250

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Manhattan Graduate Scholars Program for Binghamton University/SUNY Alumni

Binghamton University - State University of New York

$5,250 Varies See Details
 

Manhattan Graduate Scholars Program for Binghamton University/SUNY Alumni

Binghamton University - State University of New York

award

$5,250

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Mat-Su Health Foundation Vocational Scholarship

Mat-Su Health Foundation

Up to $5,000 Varies See Details
 

Mat-Su Health Foundation Vocational Scholarship

Mat-Su Health Foundation

award

Up to $5,000

deadline

Varies
See Details