Kent State University College of Public Health Blog

Kent State graduate student credits Regional Campus start for putting him on the path to a master’s degree

Learn how the online Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences uniquely positions graduates to lead satisfying careers addressing evolving public health challenges.

Learn more in this introduction to ethics in public health practice, including the essential ethical concerns, elements of an ethical framework and the relationship between public health ethics and medical ethics.

Whether navigating the complexities of healthcare legislation or launching public health initiatives, MPH health policy and management professionals are making fundamental differences in the lives of entire communities. Find out how Kent State's online MPH can help you move into leadership in healthcare management and support meaningful progress in public health.

Public health experts have long recognized that the environments where people live have health consequences at both the individual and community levels. Explore the importance of environmental health in public health outcomes in this blog post.

Public health is a dynamic field at the intersection of social justice, health science, and policy. This article explores how Kent State's innovative online MPH degree combined with a Graduate Certificate in LGBTQ+ Public Health can help you successfully navigate this complex landscape.

Epidemiologists navigating the complex landscape of public health need specialized knowledge and management skills to support their commitment to community health. Learn how Kent State's online Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology can help you develop these skills and advance your career.

In the U.S., life expectancy by year of birth has risen steadily and dramatically since the beginning of the 20th century. With only a few notable drops, the expected age of death among Americans has climbed from around 47 in the year 19001 to an average of about 79 in 2015.

As warmer global temperatures expand mosquito habitats, the range and intensity of mosquito diseases continue to increase, with significant implications for public health. There have been new reports of these diseases in North America, alongside other public health concerns. Learn more here.

Throughout the mid-19th century, clinicians noted the impact of socio-environmental factors on healthcare. From unusually high incidences of breast cancer in Italian nuns to cancers that only seemed to affect chimney sweeps in Great Britain, medical literature of the period carefully traced the connections between cultural background and wellness.

Learn about the master's in public health, a versatile degree that deeply prepares students for a fulfilling career in many fields related to health. This comprehensive blog post covers core competencies, career pathways, opportunities for impact and more.

Healthcare and public health practitioners and policymakers have become increasingly aware of the many nonmedical factors that contribute to health disparities for diverse populations and the negative consequences those disparities create. Read about addressing health disparities in diverse populations, including one Kent State alumni's experiences.

Public health policies are essential building blocks of better health equity that can help break down socioeconomic barriers and allow broader access to healthcare. Read about examples of public health policies and their impact on health equity, along with some of the challenges to promoting health equity and strategies for overcoming them.

Although they don’t receive as much attention as rising healthcare premiums or drug breakthroughs tend to, public health concerns that affect communities at large are among the biggest challenges on the nation’s healthcare landscape.

In this post, we introduce you to three of the COPH professors who are actively engaged with their communities and their students, and with advancing knowledge in their areas of expertise.

To better understand the needs of Cleveland's residents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, the Kent State University College of Public Health (CPH) launched the Greater Cleveland LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment project led by Andrew Snyder, CPH adjunct instructor. Learn more about the project here.

Earning a bachelor’s degree is a big commitment. Life and work can easily get in the way, so it’s no surprise that many people pause their educational pursuits so they can take care of family, career, or health-related concerns.

Learn more about Dr. Jeffrey Hallam, professor and associate dean for Research and Global Affairs.

Organized public health efforts began in seventeenth-century Europe in response to the plague. Modern western public health systems, including hospitals for the ill and public sanitation services, started developing alongside scientific advances in the early nineteenth century and continue to evolve alongside science and culture today.

The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) is one of the core professional journals for the field, reflecting the profession's diversity and addressing current public health issues. Read more here about the American Journal of Public Health, other notable professional resources, current issues in public health, and public health careers.

With the urgency of the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis and other global health challenges on the horizon, there is perhaps no more important field today than public health.

Public health experts have never been more important than they are in the world today. From cancer to Ebola to COVID-19, major health events affect us all. As globalization, climate disasters and economic and social disruptions expand, we need trained professionals to help mitigate those threats.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define epidemiology as the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events in specified populations. To complete this study of “health-related states and events”, scientists use a tool called the epidemiologic triangle, or the epidemiologic triad.

As 2021 comes to a close, we’re taking a look at some of the top public health problems that faced the world in the past year. While some are more obvious than others, they all tie together to form a picture of the biggest challenges facing humanity today and give us a clue as to what to expect in the future.

Kent State College of Public Health professor recognized for outstanding research of zoonotic infections and scientific communication.

Given recent global health events, it stands to reason that jobs in public health would be growing along with the rest of the healthcare sector. What do public health professionals do? It’s not all virus tracking and promoting vaccination centers. There's a diverse range of job types to be had in public health encompassing research, policymaking, and health interventions.

You may already be familiar with the acronym, but what does it really mean to pursue a Master’s of Public Health degree? Read on to learn more about the field and all you could discover with a degree in public health.

Throughout the ages, great public health leaders have helped inspire extraordinary solutions to pressing public health issues.1 Inspiration can come from anywhere, however. Sometimes the most inspirational ...

As we progress through the COVID-19 pandemic, its effects on the study, containment and prevention of disease continue to unfold. Historically, public health emergencies have necessitated and inspired defining changes to epidemiology.

When thinking of a hospital, it's unlikely the first thing that comes to mind is the beautiful design of the building. Rarely do tourists flock to a city to capture an iconic photograph of an architecturally impressive hospital.

In recent years, the U.S. healthcare system has begun to rethink how we define public health and the approaches it takes to tackle public health issues. In the past, the term was used loosely as a placeholder for any topic related to wider healthcare, but more recently has become a more focused and professional agenda.

While it may be easy to draw quick, often fearful mental connections between hemp, marijuana and harder drugs, there are far gentler realities at work. Despite its long history of diverse uses around the world, hemp has been getting a bad rap.

As COVID-19 numbers continue to increase, we can find encouragement by looking at some of the pandemics that preceded this one. Their numbers were staggering and the human responses to them not always productive, but there is hope in the repeated triumph of innovation and science over disease. As...

Often called ‘disease detectives,’ epidemiologists search for the causes of disease and injury. They identify people who are at risk, and determine how to control or stop the spread of disease and prevent recurrence of illness and injury.

It’s late in 2020, and the world needs good news regarding the study of disease. Fortunately, there’s plenty of it—in relation to COVID-19, cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, and an array of other threats to health and longevity.

Some call it a science and some say it’s more like journalism. Its practitioners have backgrounds in diverse areas. They work in offices and labs, on college campuses, in community health centers and all over the world. It’s a term we encounter a lot in the news lately, but exactly what is epidemiology?

You have many compelling reasons to become an epidemiologist—a public health professional who investigates patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans1 and, as such, helps the world heal. Employment in this field is projected to grow five percent (faster than the average for all occupations) by 2029, so the job prospects are good.

In less than a second, a Google search of the phrase ‘master’s in public health salary’ yields 220 million results. The field holds great variety and career potential. You’ll find researchers and other public health professionals in universities and colleges, government agencies, city and state health departments, nonprofit groups and private for-profit companies.

We talk a lot today about public health policy issues on a global stage. The term ‘global health’ first appeared in scientific literature in the 1940s,1 and was used as a foundation for the creation of the World Health Organization in 1948.

Public health is one of the most diverse fields in healthcare practice, and the public health industry is expanding and changing at a rapid rate.1 To break into this competitive field, strong qualifications, such as a Master of Public Health (MPH), are essential, and a winning public health personal statement is a critical component of a successful MPH application.

In less than a second, a Google search of the phrase ‘master’s in public health salary’ yields 220 million results. The field holds great variety and career potential. You’ll find researchers and other public health professionals in universities and colleges, government agencies, city and state health departments, nonprofit groups and private for-profit companies.

Public health is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.” Though COVID-19 is still enveloping the globe, there are other public health issues that professionals around the world continue to address, research and raise awareness for.

As a lactation consultant, Caytlyn Weiland plays a critical role during an emotional experience for new mothers. Now due to COVID-19, her role has taken on additional importance and stress.

In February, Lauren Hoff-Borling would never have guessed she’d be leading a presentation on public health to her Army Reserve unit. She definitely would not have expected they’d actually care about it.

Tina Caporaso was just a few months into a new job before the COVID-19 pandemic caused upheaval across the country. Hired as a living donor education coordinator at Tampa General Hospital in Florida, and currently enrolled in Kent State’s online MPH program, Caporaso found herself stepping into a new role to help her patients.

Here in the summer of 2020, it’s all too easy to think of epidemiology—the method used to find the causes of health outcomes and diseases in populations1—as being all COVID-19, all the time.

Learn about Dr. Smith and read highlights from her recent webinar. She addresses COVID-19, infectious diseases and how we all can play a role in determining our collective future during the pandemic.

Learn about Dr. Smith and read highlights from her recent webinar. She addresses COVID-19, infectious diseases and how we all can play a role in determining our collective future during the pandemic.

In the last several weeks, the healthcare landscape has changed so quickly and frequently that it often feels hard to keep up. While we’ve become all too familiar with phrases like "flatten the curve," "social distancing" and "sheltering in place," the vocabulary of life since the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to expand.

For the last several years, Kent State University’s College of Public Health has participated in Blackboard’s Exemplary Course Program (ECP), which recognizes and honors educators who are passionate about leveraging technology in education and working to improve best practices in their communities.

The American Red Cross makes vital contributions to our country’s public health with its educational and service efforts. In terms of disaster relief, the Red Cross medical service does not replace the services of local physicians but augments them by assisting with the organization, distribution and direction of medical and relief work.

Note: Because the situation and facts around the 2019-nCoV coronavirus are rapidly evolving, the most recently updated information will be available from these sites: World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The healthcare industry in the U.S. is experiencing rapid change, and there is significant demand for strong leaders who can guide healthcare organizations through this change. With a healthcare management degree, you will be able to help shape the future of healthcare in different ways.

A public health manager is a leader in the field of public health. Usually, public health management professionals are part of a public health team, such as the staff of a hospital, health department or medical facility.

Many people have probably heard of the term big data but may not understand its practical application in business. Generally speaking, the more data an organization has at its disposal, the easier it is to make informed decisions that will allow it to grow.

Health and safety engineers help ensure workers stay safe, even in challenging environments such as manufacturing plants or construction sites. It's an essential role that can save lives using technical knowledge and expertise.

Being able to change lives (and often even save lives) every day is one of the most significant and rewarding parts of working in healthcare. But the need for meaningful change in healthcare also goes beyond the individual level.

What Constitutes a Public Health Issue? Is gun violence a public health issue? Many Americans would have different answers to this. The truth is, it’s a complicated issue that brings out a lot of passion from each side. There are also political matters and bills that have been passed that have made solving this issue harder.

Are you interested in global public health? With residences in Geneva, Switzerland and Florence, Italy as well as many global partnerships in China, India, Turkey and beyond, Kent State students have several options when searching for opportunities to expand their horizons while connecting classroom learnings to global scenarios, as well as gain exposure to other cultures and areas of the world.

EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS Ken Slenkovich is the assistant dean of Kent State University’s College of Public Health and program director for the school’s online Master of Public Health program.

Public health careers appeal to different people for different reasons, just as certain universities make more sense for certain individuals. The university you choose should be a conduit through which you can achieve your aspirations, and there are many factors to consider in the selection process.

Of the nearly 323 million individuals who live in the United States, almost seven percent make their home in a food desert. That means more than 23 million Americans, including millions of children, are without consistent or easy access to fresh, nutrient-dense meals and groceries.

Evidence-based public health interventions have saved millions of lives since 1854, when Dr. John Snow first identified a public water well as the source of a major cholera outbreak in London. In the decades since, public health interventions have been instrumental in improving the health and well-being of people in large and small communities.

There currently exist an unprecedented number of international refugees and forcibly displaced migrants—a reported 22.5 million and 65.6 million respectively worldwide1—and most are attempting to escape persecution, war or an otherwise dangerous environment.

The Statistics Behind This Growing Epidemic An opioid crisis has been building in the United States for quite some time. While abuse of and addiction to this drug have long been issues in American communities, they’ve now reached dire new levels of urgency. Today, this epidemic is killing more people than ever before while simultaneously bankrupting cities and communities.

If you're aiming to advance your career in public health, an online Master of Public Health (MPH) program is just the beginning of your journey. Whether you're interested in working directly with the public or you prefer a behind-the-scenes position that lets you increase treatment efficiency and effectiveness, many doors will be open to you upon graduation.

It can be easy to take for granted the comforts that most of us have in our homes. Indoor plumbing, running water, heat, a safe place to sleep, food—even the people fortunate enough to enjoy these amenities will periodically fall ill.

If “public health” refers to caring for the collective health of a population, then “public health economics” is the science of how a society takes on and manages this responsibility with limited resources.

1. Could you please share a short background about yourself? I am currently in the Ohio Air National Guard as a guardsman. I work in an administrative field in a maintenance management company. I recently returned from my first deployment overseas and currently reside in Youngstown, Ohio, about 45 minutes away from Kent.

I graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Youngstown State University, during which I was fortunate to obtain an internship with U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson OH-06. Following my academic internship, I was hired on as staff, where I worked for over four years as a staff assistant and field representative.

AN ONLINE PROGRAM FOR ALL AGES

People from across the world come to the United States seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Once they arrive, they generally tend to congregate in similar areas and live amongst each other, which creates a feeling of community and connectedness in a place that isn’t their native land.

My family immigrated from Lebanon to the United States near the end of the Lebanese Civil War. Currently, I work full time for the Arab American Community Health and Research Center in the infectious disease program with a primary focus on HIV and PrEP implementation.

1. Could you please share a short background about yourself? Currently, I work full-time as a farm to table coordinator, which means I work to connect the local food system. I do this through building relationships with small-scale farmers and institutions, helping to plan educational opportunities and working to make connections, so local foods are more readily available to all. We do policy work, and through this, I see a direct correlation to my coursework at Kent State.

Considered one of the biggest public health achievements in recent years, the global rate for maternal mortalities has decreased by 44 percent since 1990, according to a 2015 report that examines the progress made under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Over the last decade, a significant amount of resources and effort in the public health field have gone toward public crises prevention. As citizens, we’ve become all too familiar with morbid news reports of gun violence, mass shootings in unthinkable places—churches, schools, movie theaters—dangerous health risks in our drinking water and worsening drug epidemics that claim a shocking number of lives per year.

The online Master of Public Health (MPH) program from Kent State University is designed to prepare students with the advanced knowledge and working skills needed to pursue professional roles in the field of public health.

Take a look at our checklist for travel safety tips and more information on required vaccines for international travel.

Check out our pocketbook below for information from the CDC on diseases, inoculations, and vaccines when traveling abroad. Happy travels!

Unless you’re a working professional in the sector, the average individual doesn’t give a lot of thought to public health or its universal importance. Some may think that public health only refers to providing access to adequate health care to the people who need it. But it’s so much broader in scope.

When media outlets first began reporting on the Zika virus, not many knew what it was or had even heard of it before. Most of the early information about the disease explained that it is only present in certain regions of the world – mostly tropical–can only be transmitted via mosquito bites, and women who are pregnant were at a much higher risk of contracting the virus.

The Annual Review of Public Health recently released data on the startling rise of opiate addiction in the United States Use of these drugs increased so much that in 2014, the Annual Review wrote that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention placed opioid abuse on its top five list of greatest public health challenges.