When COVID-19 struck, it wasn’t just doctors and nurses who sprang into action, it was also epidemiologists tracking viral spread, health policy experts shaping government responses, and public health communicators informing billions. Behind every global health crisis, there’s an invisible army of public health professionals working to keep populations safe.
The pandemic alone exposed the urgent need for robust public health systems with the World Health Organization estimating that 6 out of 10 countries still lack basic public health capacities. Meanwhile, climate change, mental health disorders, and chronic diseases like diabetes are rising globally. Public health isn’t just about reacting it’s about preventing the next crisis before it begins. Governments, NGOs, and international bodies like the UN and WHO are investing more than ever in disease surveillance, environmental health, and policy innovation.
So, what does a career in public health look like and why is it a good option?
What Is Public Health?
Public health is focused on protecting and improving the health of the people and our communities. It does not just focus on one individual. Public health departments focus on prevention of diseases, make policy changes and educate people to keep people safe and healthy in the first place. They are not doctors but people who have knowledge related to doctrine, medicines, health and more.
They work at different levels be it local, national or global. Its work it to control infectious disease outbreaks, eradicating long term health issues in public, ensuring the environment which we live in has clean air and water, focuses on improving nutrition especially in children that are malnourished and regions where there is shortage of food and water and advocating for mental health problems. Amongst all these public health is the reason why many regions follow practices that are important be it sanitation, vaccination, environmental, emotional support and more.
For example, a doctor may treat a child with a new virus but it is the public healths duty to find out where did the virus come from, what are its trigger, ways to control it and prevent further damage.
Key Pillars of Public Health:
- Health Promotion & Education – Empowering communities with knowledge.
- Epidemiology – Studying patterns of disease to identify risks and solutions.
- Health Policy & Management – Shaping systems and policies for better care access.
- Environmental Health – Ensuring safe water, sanitation, and clean air.
- Biostatistics – Using data to drive decisions and allocate resources. Whether it’s planning vaccination campaigns, creating anti-smoking laws, or addressing rising mental health issues — public health professionals are the quiet architects of healthier societies.
Global Cases Of Public Health
In 2019 when the pandemic hit, there were many behind the screen working hard to create vaccines, control the spread of the pandemic, make people aware of the effects of the virus on respiratory issues. While the world was at a critical stage the public health services were the ones conducting disease surveillance, tracking transmission, communicating accurate information to counter misinformation. Many people during the covid period spread false remedies through WhatsApp forwards.
Beyond COVID-19 there are various other epidemics and threats to life like the Ebola Virus, Zika Virus, H1N1, Mpox and many others that public health professionals continue to battle.
While another challenge is the rise of non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and mental health illnesses. These diseases in the year 2021 have taken over at least 43 million lives of people according to the World Health Organization. It is also stated by WHO that cardiovascular deaths account for most of the non-communicable disease.
Recently in the year 2024 – 2025 there have been many people dying of heart attacks at a young age, this was leading to questions related to the covid vaccine being a cause. In such circumstances it is the public health experts that find the actual cause of these unexpected cases of attacks.
Public health teams play a crucial role in designing policies that promote healthier lifestyles, regulate tobacco and alcohol consumption, improve mental health access, and raise awareness through education campaigns. For instance, India faces a growing diabetes crisis, with over 77 million affected a burden that health programs aim to reduce.
While focusing on health issues many factors can contribute to it like social, environmental, economic, and genetic factors. Climate change and environmental degradation are also escalating health risks globally. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, air and water pollution, and changes in disease vector patterns (like mosquitoes spreading dengue or malaria) are putting millions at risk. Public health professionals assess these environmental threats, track their impact on communities, and work with policymakers to develop long-term strategies for clean energy, sustainable cities, and disaster preparedness.
The global mental health crisis is another growing concern. Depression is now the leading cause of disability worldwide, yet access to mental health services remains limited in many parts of the world. Public health workers are essential in integrating mental health into primary healthcare systems, launching anti-stigma campaigns, and building community support services that make care accessible and culturally sensitive.
India’s Polio Eradication Campaign stands as one of the biggest examples of how public health teams in India have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to achieve extraordinary results. The journey began with India’s participation in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and over the years, it evolved into a massive nationwide effort involving millions of health workers, extensive door-to-door vaccination drives, community mobilization, and real-time surveillance. Despite logistical challenges and dense populations, India was declared polio-free in 2014 a milestone that highlighted the power of prevention, grassroots engagement, and public health strategy working in harmony.
Education Needs and Skills
The public health careers in India and abroad are experiencing a high demand of jobs. According to reports the field is projected to grow with an estimated 4.6 million new opportunities by 2028. Whereas in foreign countries according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 16% employment growth for health educators and community health workers by 2026.
There are diverse job role in the public health department and most of them require education degrees and strong skills. The educational path you choose depends on your area of interest, but certain core qualifications and skills are essential across the board.
Most entry and mid-level roles in public health require at least a Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as public health, biology, psychology, environmental science, or health administration. However, for leadership roles, research positions, or global health careers, a Master of Public Health (MPH) or similar postgraduate degree is often essential.
Although for specialized roles like biostatisticians or health economists will require a masters degree in mathematics, statistics or economics. Similarly, public health lawyers or policy experts may need law degrees or masters degrees alongside public health training.
Beyond degrees, skills are what set professionals apart in the field of public health. Here are some of the important skills needed for public health experts:
- Data analysis and statistical literacy – Ability to interpret public health data using tools like R, SAS, SPSS, or Python.
- Communication skills – Whether crafting a health campaign or presenting research to policymakers, clear communication is key.
- Cultural competency and empathy – Understanding the social and cultural context of communities is crucial for successful health interventions.
- Research and critical thinking – The ability to design, analyze, and apply studies to inform decisions.
- Policy awareness and advocacy – Understanding how health systems and legislation impact public outcomes, and how to influence change.
- Project management – Especially in global health and NGO work, the ability to coordinate programs, teams, and logistics is essential.
Today, professionals are also expected to be digitally fluent that means using technology to conduct telehealth campaigns, analyze big data, or counter misinformation on social media. The pandemic and mpox are some of the examples of how fake news, unsolicited health advices, remedies and vaccination myths were spread across social media.
While the path may vary, the unifying goal of all public health education and training is to prepare professionals to anticipate health threats, design preventive strategies, and promote healthier communities at scale.
If you’re someone who wants to work in the field of public health, first choosing the right academic institution is important. In India, top institutions like the Indian Institutes of Public Health (IIPH) under the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) offer specialized programs in epidemiology, health management, and environmental health across cities like Delhi, Gandhinagar, and Hyderabad. The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai is another leading institution, known for its Master’s in Public Health with a strong focus on social determinants of health and health equity. Other notable options include AIIMS Delhi, which offers community medicine programs with a strong research base, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education, which offers globally aligned public health degrees.
In the United States, some of the world’s best public health education can be found at institutions like the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Gillings School of Global Public Health). These schools offer rigorous MPH, DrPH, and PhD programs, blending academic research with hands-on policy, global health, and data-driven training. Other strong contenders include Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), and Emory University, all of which have strong global health departments, research opportunities, and links to international organizations like WHO and CDC.
Top Careers in Public Health
| Role | Avg. Salary (INR LPA) |
|---|---|
| Epidemiologist | ₹6–12 (up to ₹35–40) |
| Public Health Director | ₹20–30+ |
| Health Educator | ₹3–6 |
| Biostatistician | ₹5–12+ |
| Hospital Administrator | ₹2–6 (up to ₹12–15) |
| Healthcare Consultant | ₹10–30+ |
| Public Health Nurse | ₹1.5–10 |
| Disaster Specialist | ₹6–12 |
| Environmental Scientist | ₹4–10 (up to ₹15) |
| Nutritionist / Dietitian | ₹3–12 |
| Biomedical Researcher | ₹6–20 |
| Infection Preventionist | ₹6–12 |
| EHS Specialist | ₹5–10 |
| Public Health Engineer | ₹5–15 |
| Health Policy Analyst | ₹6–20+ |
How is Technology Changing the Future Of Public Health?
Technology is revolutionizing public health by making it faster, smarter, and more data-driven. Tools like AI and machine learning help predict disease outbreaks, track virus mutations, and analyze massive datasets in real-time enabling faster, targeted responses. Digital health platforms, mobile apps, and wearable tech are making it easier to monitor personal health, deliver remote care, and reach underserved populations through telemedicine and SMS-based interventions.
From using drones to deliver vaccines in remote areas to deploying chatbots for mental health support, tech is bridging gaps in access and efficiency. Geographic Information Systems (GIS), data dashboards, and cloud-based surveillance systems are now central to managing health crises showing that the future of public health will be deeply digital, connected, and proactive.
