Public Health

Overview

The Public Health major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Biostatistics concentration prepares students in the quantitative science of health data collection, storage, retrieval, analysis and interpretation. 
• The Epidemiology concentration prepares students to analyze the distribution and determinants of disease, disabilities and death in populations. 
• The Health Policy and Management concentration prepares students to address public health risks and develop effective health services delivery models. 
• The Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to improve health in populations across the life course.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this Public Health program from Kent State University will be able to:

• Explain public health history, philosophy and values

• Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services

• Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health

• List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the US or other community relevant to the school or program

• Discuss the science of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc.

• Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge

• Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health

• Explain biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health

• Explain behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health

• Explain the social, political and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to population health and health inequities