The resources that exist to serve those interested in the public health profession are as numerous as the different career tracks available to those seeking employment within the field. Everything from disease information to public outreach and more can be found through a series of online and offline publications dedicated to working with the public on matters of their personal wellbeing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Generally considered America’s largest public health institution, the Centers for Disease Control has been educating Americans on matters of health and disease prevention in various forms since 1942. The Centers’ website covers everything from emergency preparedness plans to healthy living.
For those traveling abroad, the CDC’s website gives reports on each country, and any health concerns that should be addressed before takeoff. Those staying stateside will appreciate the website’s environmental health section, which covers the effects of — and hotspots for — air pollution, mold infestations, carbon monoxide risks, poor water quality, and even the negative effects of climate change on a person’s health based on where they live.
Finally, the CDC has extended their public health interests to the workplaces of average Americans, warning of risks in each field — from the obvious risks of heavy construction to the more subtle risk of repetitive motion injuries experienced by those who spend their days in offices.
Overall, the CDC is the leading website for anyone in the public health field, as well as anyone in the United States who needs a refresher on the importance of a first aid kit, a mold-free home, or a special arm rest at their desk.
One of the biggest challenges confronted by anyone in the public health industry is the disparity of health care quality between the richest and poorest members of society. It’s a problem that is not unique or exclusive to the United States, and this book makes sure to take a comparative look at socioeconomic status and health quality between the United States, several of its European and Asian allies, and struggling economics across Africa.
But the comparison of the world’s health care problems is just the beginning for this wide-ranging book. It then moves into a separate section that deals with the policy details of a society that is increasingly dependent on disease prevention and wellness care; it discusses the imperative of providing this care to all members of society, on an even level, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Finally, the book discusses who is to blame for the current worldwide inequities in healthcare that have resulted in the poorer members of society living far fewer years than even their middle-class counterparts, let alone the upper classes around the world. It discusses the role of health care managers, health care providers, politicians, and the unique insurance industries in countries like the United States that exist to profit from sickness and disease.
This book is a must-red for the public health professional, but political advocates of greater access to health care will want to pick it up for its broad comparisons and historical reasoning, as well as its call to action in the realm of policy. It is an informed read that will help clarify the existing public health situation and where it goes from this point forward.
Johns Hopkins Public Health Magazine
Updated twice each year, the Johns Hopkins Public Health Magazine is the official publication of the Bloomberg School of Public Health within Johns Hopkins University. The university is widely-respected as having some of the best medical programs in the country — both in regard to its educational standards as well as the standard of care it gives each of its patients.
To that end, this magazine is one of the major periodicals in the industry, covering public health issues at home as well as in every country around the world. The Johns Hopkins Public Health Magazine frequently covers the challenges of public health officials in African countries, where the AIDS epidemic continues to present a significant challenge for health care professionals. And it frequently covers the unique aspects of the American health care system that so often disregards wellness and prevention in favor of disease treatment.
In addition to covering the state of public health, the magazine looks for new trends in all of the medical fields and frequently details how upcoming changes will impact those in the public health industry.
American Public Health Association
Every industry has its trade association, and that’s what the APHA is for those in the public health sector. The American Public Health Association’s website is a constantly-updated stream of news relating to professional concerns and trends for public health practitioners. It frequently aggregates news from public health departments around the country, showcasing the good work of those who are looking out for the public’s best interest and wellbeing.