It’s no secret that people are living longer. According to the Population Reference Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to increase from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060. As our population ages, those with a career in Public Health are revamping policies to continue to care for our older population.
A master’s in Public Health can help public health workers be on the forefront of developing and implementing these policies. There are several career options for mph graduates that can have an important job in serving this growing generation of older Americans.

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to help make advances in medical knowledge and treatment. They design studies to gather data, and can use them to study the effects of various treatments, risk factors, and other important elements when developing new treatments.
In geriatrics, the role of biostatisticians is of increasing importance. As the population is living longer, new treatments and they way that they specifically affect older patients has come under scrutiny as healthcare workers strive to help patients live longer, healthier lives.

Epidemiologist

When the incidences of a disease or injury increase, you can bet that there is an epidemiologist studying the cause and working to prevent it from occurring. Older individuals are particularly susceptible to disease and illness, and often have chronic conditions simultaneously. Epidemiologists are particularly interested in studying the health of older adults for these reasons, hoping to find causes and cures as our population continues to age.

Emergency Management Specialist

As part of a vulnerable population, when emergencies strike seniors can find themselves needing additional care. Seniors with memory concerns such as Alzheimer’s and dementia are particularly vulnerable in these situations. Emergency Management Specialists are responsible for implementing and creating emergency plans, which can help build resilient communities ensuring that no one falls through the cracks in an emergency.

Public Health Analyst

Societies benefit when health and wellness initiatives are set in place. Public Health Analyst work to determine if the current initiatives are needed and working the way that they ought to. Implementing initiatives to prevent common infections among seniors is one way that Public Health Analysts can work to keep seniors healthy and out of hospitals and doctor’s offices.

Environmental Health Technician

Everything from the water we drink to the environment we work in can affect our health. Environmental Health Technicians work to study our environments to ensure that it is safe for everyone in the environment. Since older adults are at an increased risk when exposed to environmental contaminants, this type of work is very important in the lives of aging adults. Environmental exposures can increase the risk factors for diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
The health of the people in our society affects all of us. Those with a master’s degree in public health are working in a variety of ways to make our society a better place for our senior citizens, and by proximity make our society a better place for the rest of us as well.