Environmental Health
Environmental Health looks at different factors in our environment and tries to understand their role in the health of individuals and populations. This concentration addresses the environmental risk factors – such as smoke, water, and airborne pollutants – pose to certain populations and their health. Students who concentrate in Environmental Health are well versed in the variety of approaches used to assess risk levels associated with the environment and public health.
Sample Courses
Training in toxicology prepares students of public health to examine the dangerous effects of different toxins, poisons, and harmful substances. The study of toxins is a critical component of environmental health studies. Public health students learn about toxins on the cellular level as well as their effects on the community and population levels, establishing a comprehensive framework for grasping how dangerous substances affect our bodies and our immediate environments.
When disasters strike – whether natural emergencies or man-made environmental catastrophes – public health professionals must be prepared to mitigate the potential damage posed to the health of exposed populations. These professionals must also be trained to assess the risks of such disasters and determine how to minimize harmful effects. A course in risk sciences and disaster management trains students to make educated decisions in the face of unforeseeable disaster.
With the world’s population rapidly increasing, its resources are in constant jeopardy of depletion. Coursework in population environmental health and sustainability prepares students to work with diverse populations and communities to maintain healthy and sustainable habits.