As the health needs of our communities change and evolve, so will the demand for dedicated doctors, researchers, and health administrators.
Whether it’s finding ways to promote rural seniors’ access to healthy food or collaborating with corporations and public officials to create a digitally-skilled workforce, West Virginia University's public health professionals are working to turn some of the most critical questions our society faces today — into solutions.
Graduates of WVU's master's degree in Public Health go on to lead in their board rooms and their communities, but it all starts in the classroom. Keep reading to discover the potential that WVU's Master of Public Health could bring to your career.
1. Making Proper Nutrition Accessible to the Communities in West Virginia
Lauri Andress, an assistant professor in WVU's School of Public Health, examines how ease of access to different nutritious foods, particularly fresh produce, impacts our community's well-being, specifically focusing on seniors in the community.
Andress focuses on what she calls “upstream levers,” such as infrastructure investments, economic development and employment opportunities, that affect efforts “downstream” when it comes to how communities in rural regions acquire nutritious food. Adress asserts that creating more of these "upstream levers" would help prevent the spread of life-threatening conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure by providing communities with better quality food and overall nutrition.
With an MPH degree from The Department Of Health Policy, Management, and Leadership, you could work with professionals like Andress to guide organizations and institutions in the delivery and management of healthy food distribution, using research studies to convert statistics into impactful policy that will improve the well-being of West Virginians.
2. Anticipating The Future Health Needs Of Our Communities
The work of a public health professional often consists of helping those that are currently in need. But just as importantly, it can involve planning for the future and anticipating the potential health needs of a particular region in the years to come.
WVU's College of Business and Economics and the School of Public Health, are working together to create not only a more competitive West Virginian workforce but a healthier Mountain State.
This grant-funded project, supported by Cisco, aims to anticipate the health needs of the region, and use those projections to create a curriculum that will prepare WVU graduates to meet those needs.
The curriculum will address critical skill gaps that exist in the health information technology and data analytics fields, which, according to Javier Reyes, will in turn create a demand for such jobs in the region.
3. Connecting Those In Need With The Best Available Resources
Pictured below, Dr. Michael Brumbage, Assistant Dean of Public Health Practice and Service in WVU's School of Public Health, has been appointed to lead the efforts against West Virginia’s opioid crisis.
Brumbage discovered his passion for public health at WVU, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and an MD. After attaining his MD, Brumbage attended University of Washington to pursue a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology.
Epidemiology began as the study of infectious diseases, but the field has expanded to include research on the widespread effects of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.
Through epidemiologic data, we can understand what treatments or solutions to employ and whether they’re making measurable improvements in the lives of those who suffer from chronic diseases.
As the new director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, Brumbage believes that connecting those struggling with addiction to the best available resources will be one of the best ways to make a lasting impact but will also be one of the greatest challenges.
Are you a recent graduate exploring the possibilities of a career in public health? Or a mid-level professional who’s looking to specialize? Either way, you can learn more about WVU's School of Public Health and its different programs of study here.
As an aspiring leader in the field of public health, it's important to choose the right graduate program for you. We invite you to explore our newest interactive resource — Impacting Social Change in the Field of Public Health!
