Missouri School of Public Health – MO

By allied health world contributing writer
Published:  February 14th, 2010

Providing access to healthcare in rural areas, providing immunizations to children entering school, educating young adults on the prevention of sexually transmitted and communicable diseases, inspecting a sewage system, or preparing for power outages from ice storms, these are all jobs public health workers in Missouri. Public health is concerned with influencing the welfare of the community and populations.  This is accomplished by reaching out to target groups within communities.   In Missouri, public health schools prepare graduates by training the unique skill-sets that makes this such a challenging and rewarding career.

Continuing Education in Missouri

Individuals employed in the public health field will want to stay current on best practices in their profession. Any profession that is certified will require additional credits in continuing education, to maintain their licensure.  Public Health administrators and Public Health policy makers will want to stay abreast to the developments in the field to better the community. While postgraduate degree holders in public health administration and public health policy may not require certification or continuing education, keeping up with advancements in the field is a part of lifelong learning.  Professionals seeking continuing education opportunities will find the Missouri Public Health Association’s website a good starting point.

Professional Associations in Missouri

The American Public Health Association is a national organization that represents a variety of health professionals who work toward improving the health of local communities. The Association collaborates with public health organizations and professionals to promote wellness and preventive services across the United States. In Missouri, the American Public Health Association (MPHA) affiliate is the Missouri Public Health Association.  The MPHA seeks to be a leader in the field by responding to community health needs and networking with others to promote the public health in Missouri.

Students and public health practitioners will find many benefits to joining the Missouri Public Health Association, including scholarships and awards.  Missouri Public Health Administration encourages and disseminates research developments in public health. Membership also includes discounts on conferences, a free subscription to the organization’s newsletter and legislative advocacy tools.