Public health in action

Public health is at a turning point, with a shrinking workforce, outdated data systems and growing demands on the field. During National Public Health Week, April 6-12, this year's theme, "Ready. Set. Action!" reflects that urgency, and at the University of Delaware, faculty and students are stepping up to the challenge.

Here are three ways UD's College of Health Sciences is working to shape the future of public health:

Fueling the public health pipeline

The public health workforce faces serious challenges. It's no secret that the workforce has seen significant turnover since the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by burnout, and many professionals are nearing retirement.

"At UD CHS, our faculty are preparing the next generation to step in, with an emphasis on hands-on experience from day one," said Jennifer Horney, professor and founding chair of the Department of Epidemiology.

UD's Public Health program is nationally accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), a recognition that the program meets the highest standards for public health education. Students gain field experience early on in their studies.

"Whether it's conducting surveys for the state's Community Health Assessment or working on HEALTH for All's mobile health unit, interacting with community members, the focus is always on applying what students learn in the classroom in real-world settings," Horney said.