Global & Public Health Sciences (GPHSHE-BS)

About this programme

Public health is the prevention of illness and promotion of wellness in communities, both large and small. The Global Public Health Sciences (GPHS) major teaches the tools of public health research, action, and their application to population health issues in the U.S. and globally. The work of public health professionals is distinct from the work of clinical professionals, who typically treat individuals after they have become sick or injured. Public health actions often involve educational and/or governmental approaches that influence many people simultaneously, for example, to address issues such as obesity and diabetes, food security, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, quality of food, water and air, and access to health care. Sustained improvement of the health of populations often requires a multidisciplinary approach involving the biomedical, behavioral, social, political and environmental sciences, and careful consideration of the importance of cultural and ethical contexts.