University of Iowa

Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities. This is a collaborative, diverse field that attracts people who want to improve human health using skills from areas such as behavioral and social science, environmental science, math and statistics, laboratory science, and policy development.

Public health professionals use specialized skills and knowledge to better understand the underlying causes of diseases and injuries and develop strategies to prevent them. They promote healthy lifestyles, develop vaccines, ensure the safety of the food supply and new drugs, implement programs that protect workers' health, and shape policies that ensure quality health care.