Preventive Medicine and Community Health

<h2 id="section---IsPreventiveMedicineAndCommunityHealthForMe">Is Preventive Medicine and Community Health for Me?</h2> <h3 id="section---CareerSummary">Career Summary</h3> <p>Preventive medicine and community health focuses on <a href="https://learn.org/directory/category/Health_Professions_and_Medical_Services/Public_Safety_and_Health.html">promoting human health</a> and reducing health risks through disease prevention, education and other <a href="https://learn.org/directory/category/Health_Professions_and_Medical_Services/Public_Safety_and_Health.html">public health services</a>. This interdisciplinary field combines aspects of public health administration with the medical field. Preventive medicine is one of 24 recognized specialties by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). </p> <h3 id="section---EmploymentPossibilities">Employment Possibilities</h3> <p>This broad field yields a variety of job opportunities. You might work in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/How_Do_I_Become_a_Public_Health_Administrator.html">public health administration</a>, lobbying for policy changes, or get a laboratory job researching the properties of disease. With the right medicine training, you might work as a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Medical_Doctor_Career_Profile_Employment_Outlook_and_Educational_Requirements.html">medical doctor</a> specializing in clinical preventative medicine. As a clinician, your focus could be on identifying and reducing health risks or implementing immunization programs. </p> <h3 id="section---SalariesAndJobOutlook">Salaries and Job Outlook</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for community health workers are projected to increase by 25% between 2012 and 2022 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Physicians can expect to see growth of 18% during that same period. As reported by the BLS in 2013, community health workers earned a median annual salary of $34,610. As a public health specialist, you might expect to earn between $31,799 and $79,529 per year, according to <i>PayScale.com</i> in July 2014. The median annual salary for physicians working in preventative medicine was $190,000, also reported by <i>PayScale.com.</i> </p> <h2 id="section---HowCanIWorkInPreventiveMedicineAndCommunityHealth">How Can I Work in Preventive Medicine and Community Health?</h2> <h3 id="section---EducationInformation">Education Information</h3> <p>The type of training you need to work in preventative medicine and community health depends upon the type of job you want to pursue. <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Public_Health_Majors_Your_Career_and_Salary_Questions_Answered.html">Bachelor's degree programs in public and community health</a> are available and can lead to work as a community health worker or public health specialist. Many research positions are likely to require at least a master's degree, though. </p> <p>Many schools offer <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Can_I_Do_with_a_Public_Health_Masters_Degree.html">Master of Public Health (MPH)</a> programs designed for physicians, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Nursing_How_to_Become_a_Nurse_in_5_Steps.html">nurses</a> and other healthcare workers interested in preventive medicine and community health. Some schools also offer dual degree programs that allow you to earn both your <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Doctor_of_Medicine_Frequently_Asked_Questions.html">Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)</a> and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Public_Health_Degrees_Online_Program_FAQs.html">MPH</a> in as little as five years. <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Public_Health_Doctoral_Degree.html">Public health doctoral programs</a> are available as well. </p> <h3 id="section---GraduateStudies">Graduate Studies</h3> <p>On its own, a master's degree program in public health is likely to require two years of full-time study to complete. You'll need a bachelor's degree for entrance, but it doesn't necessary have to be in public health. You might take courses in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Core_Courses_for_a_Degree_in_Environmental_Health.html">environmental health</a>, toxicology, social and behavioral theory, health policy, health promotion, epidemiological methods, <a href="https://learn.org/directory/category/Biological_Sciences/Bioinformatics/Biostatistics.html">biostatistics</a> and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Online_Medical_Ethics_Courses_and_Degree_Programs.html">medical ethics</a>. You may also be required to complete a research thesis or applied capstone project, as well as a supervised public health experience. Many schools offer specializations in areas such as <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Masters_Degree_in_Public_Health_Policy_Online_Degree.html">health policy management</a>, social sciences, behavioral sciences and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Epidemiology_Degree_and_Training_Programs_Your_Questions_Answered.html">epidemiology</a>. Some schools allow you to <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Master_of_Public_Health_Online_Degree.html">earn an MPH online</a>. </p> <h3 id="section---ResidencyPrograms">Residency Programs</h3> <p>If you want to work in preventive medicine, you'd need to complete the necessary medical training to <a href="https://learn.org/articles/How_Can_I_Become_a_Physician.html">become a physician</a>. You'd then be qualified to complete a preventive medicine <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Requirements_for_a_Medical_Residency.html">residency program</a>. After completing a residency program, you could work in clinical practice, but you might also find jobs in industry, education or government health agencies.</p>