Five Public Health Careers In Policy and Health Promotion
- Health Promotion in Governmental Health Departments
- School Health Educator
- Researcher
- Corporate Wellness Program Director
- Health Policy Analyst
Professionals employed in the health promotion & policy field work on advocating for changes in healthcare laws as well as implementing educational programs for the public. This is one possible public health degree concentration, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is expected to grow a total of 16% between 2016 and 2026. For the first time, there is an increased emphasis on lowering healthcare costs through preventative measures and nutritional and lifestyle counseling. These are the types of programs health promotion and policy experts run. Other possible career paths include the following.
1. Health Promotion in Governmental Health Departments
Health departments employ these specialists to help tackle specific health problems among a population. For instance, they might work with senior citizens, ensuring that nursing home policies are appropriate or with teen moms teaching them parenting essentials. Professionals with more of an emphasis on the policy aspect work with elected officials to identify ways that the government can help improve healthcare outcomes and decrease hospitalizations, especially among low-income populations.
2. School Health Educator
These positions are available as a resource for students of all ages from preschool through high school and even college. When students are younger, health policy and promotion specialists work with them to learn healthy eating habits as well as ways to avoid getting sick like washing hand. As they get older, many times health professionals will provide services related to sexual education. All of these basic concepts are then re-emphasized to college students through campus initiatives to help these young adults adjust to living independently.
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3. Researcher
Public health researchers with an emphasis on policy and promotion are given a certain problem in a community, and it is their job to determine why this problem is occurring. They collect data in the field to better understand the underlying causes and then design solutions. Another professional usually implements the plan, but health policy researchers continue to analyze the results and make changes to the training approach and materials.
4. Corporate Wellness Program Director
This type of director is in charge of all the healthcare messaging for a large organization. These professionals first determine what aspects of health most interest the other employees and then plan programming around these topics. Some workplaces might have more obese or overweight employees, so a corporate health promotion director could organize a weight loss competition or 5K. They also could schedule health screenings that involve the major lab draws and vitals. Other corporations might not be as concerned with fitness and more with aches and pains due to ergonomic issues, which is another area health promotion workers handle.
5. Health Policy Analyst
Policy analysts examine both current and proposed health care legislation and predict how each option would play out in the long-term. They evaluate the financial and personal toll that is already part of the existing healthcare system, looking for ways to make it more efficient and effective. They also make new policy suggestions, both on the local and national level.
Many people seek a job in healthcare but find that direct patient care is not the right fit. Developing a career in health promotion & policy is a great path because these professionals can affect real change in a person’s life as well as the living conditions and life expectancy of an entire community.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
