Public Safety Vs. Public Health Career Path?
Public safety and Public Health Career Path professionals share many characteristics. They dedicate their lives to safeguarding society from natural and man-made disasters, with careers dedicated to serving others. Although public safety and public health often get discussed together, these fields have distinct objectives which should not be confused by those wishing to contribute towards society’s greater good.
Below, we outline the distinctions between public health and public safety as well as how these career paths intersect.
What is Public Health and how can it be enhanced?
Public health is the science of improving and protecting people’s health, communities, or populations. Its main goal is to enhance wellbeing and extend lives by taking steps to prevent illness and disability and increase access to healthcare services. Furthermore, public health advocates for healthier lifestyles by educating others about important topics related to wellbeing as well as creating strategies to enhance people’s quality-of-life.
What is Public Safety?
Public safety refers to the safeguarding and security of individuals and communities from dangers like crime or natural disasters. It typically refers to government agencies’ functions that are specifically designed to shield citizens and the general public from potential risks.
Comparing Public Safety Careers to Public Health Careers
Public health careers focus on the wellbeing and security of individuals. Public safety careers strive to protect and secure our citizens. Although both have similar missions – to promote the greater good – what sets them apart is how they achieve this objective.
Public health professionals work in health agencies, medical facilities, research facilities or laboratories to monitor, prevent and respond to disease outbreaks. But their focus extends beyond providing healthcare; they care about the overall well-being of a population as well. You may find public health workers working on initiatives like preventing gun violence in America as well as campaigns against climate change, water contamination, mental illness and substance abuse. Ultimately their careers aim to facilitate change wherever it’s necessary so that our world becomes safer and more stable for everyone to live, work, play and study in peacetime.
Public health careers offer:
Health Educator
- Community health worker
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Public Health Services Manager
Nutritionist
- Health Inspector or Sanitarian
- Child Development Specialist
- Child Welfare Specialist
- Health Education Coordinator
- Patient Advocate
Epidemiologist
- Disaster and Emergency Specialist
- Public Health Analyst/Researcher
- Director for Public Health
Biostatistician
Public safety professionals prioritize security. Their primary responsibility is preventing crime and safeguarding communities from external threats such as drug trafficking or cyber-attacks. Public safety officers also respond to emergency situations within communities like natural disasters, violence, intrusions and other violent incidents with the aim of ensuring people live in safety and security.
Today’s society provides many examples of public safety careers, including but not limited to police work and firefighting.
- Policing Officer
- Security Guard
- Parole Officer
- Corrections Officer
- First Responder
- Emergency Dispatcher
- Computer Security Specialist
- Customs and Border Protection Agency
- DEA Agent
- FBI Agent
- Fire Science Investigator
- Transportation Security Agent
- Cyber Crime Investigator
- Detective
Degree Paths in Public Health and Public Safety: Which Is Best for Your Career?
If you want to make a positive difference in the world and the lives of others, public health or safety fields are great choices for you. But how exactly can one become employed as an experienced public health or safety professional?
At the end of the day, each job title will determine what career requirements exist for public health or public safety professionals. Most will begin with a bachelor’s degree.
A Bachelor’s in Public Health can give you the knowledge and skills to succeed. You will study health promotion, epidemiology, occupational health as well as topics in public safety. With this level of coursework, you could potentially move into health education or promotion or prepare for graduate study if interested in pursuing a Master’s in Public health.
Gain the leadership skills required for success in public safety with a bachelor’s degree from Goodwin University. While bachelor’s degrees may be prerequisites for many positions in law enforcement, they are not essential. Their bachelor’s program covers all aspects of criminal justice and public safety – from criminology and corrections to risk reduction techniques and investigative reporting – with an emphasis on criminal justice theory and policy analysis, risk reduction techniques, and investigative reporting.
Your interests will ultimately determine which public safety option is most suitable for you. Are you motivated by promoting good healthcare and healthy communities? Or do you desire to protect your community members and keep them secure? Additionally, are you interested in preventing or responding to disease outbreaks and other public emergencies?
Additional Resources:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health
