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What is Public Health?

The 10 Essential Public Health Services

The 10 Essential Public Health Services provide a framework for public health to protect and promote the health of all people in all communities. To achieve equity, the Essential Public Health Services actively promote policies, systems, and overall community conditions that enable optimal health for all and seek to remove systemic and structural barriers that have resulted in health inequities. Such barriers include poverty, racism, gender discrimination, ableism, and other forms of oppression. Everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Graphic of the 10 Essential Public Health Services
3 Core Functions and 10 Essential Services of Public Health
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    Public Health Careers

    A public health degree provides graduates with a variety of opportunities for employment. The public health field is wide ranging, including many specialties that can be applied in different settings.

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    Public Health Certifications
    Public Health Certifications

    The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Certified in Public Health (CPH) are two exams for public health professionals.

Check out the work of our faculty and partner departments and centers for more examples of public health in action.