The public health minor will introduce students to the field of public health and the social and systematic influences on human health. Students will learn about the social determinants of health, access to healthcare, the impact of the environment on health, and health inequities as well as the skills and data needed to improve health.
The public health minor will allow students to reflect on the health issues impacting our society and how cultural, social, ethical, and economic perspectives present barriers and opportunities for improved health and justice. Students will look at their own cultural, ethical, physical, and spiritual perspectives and examine how they relate to how different perspectives may contribute to health improvement or inequities.
There is a high demand for public health graduates both locally and nationally. This minor is a good foundation for a Master of Public Health degree, which prepares students to work as public health professionals in local, state, or national public health agencies. The interdisciplinary nature of Concordia’s new public health minor gives students a broader socio-cultural background on human health. The minor also enhances students’ experience if they are applying to medical school or other health professions schools. The public health minor is a great addition to anyone interested in careers in the health professions.
In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, public health expertise is highly valued across various sectors, including healthcare, government, nonprofit organizations, academia, and industry. Completing a public health minor can enhance students’ competitiveness in the job market and open opportunities in fields related to health promotion, disease prevention, health education, health policy analysis, and community health.