Schools and Programs of Public Health Unite to Inspire the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders

Encouraging Students to Pursue Careers in Public Health

April 7, 2025

(Washington, DC)— At a time when the world faces complex health challenges, public health education remains essential. In response, the nation’s schools and programs of public health have come together under the leadership of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) to launch Public Health, Now More Than Ever—a nationwide initiative to encourage students to pursue degrees in public health and reinforce the critical role of the field in shaping a healthier, more resilient future.

With National Public Health Week (April 7-13, 2025) as a focal point, the campaign emphasizes the wide variety of careers in public health to prospective and admitted students during a time of workforce fluctuations and shifting funding landscapes. Through strategic messaging and outreach, the initiative emphasizes that a public health degree equips graduates with versatile skills and diverse career pathways across industries.

“Public health is not just a profession—it’s a calling, and now more than ever, we need competent, passionate individuals to take up the mantle,” said Dr. Laura Magaña, President and CEO of ASPPH. “Public health remains a dynamic and evolving field, offering students opportunities to make a real difference in communities worldwide.”

Key Aspects of the Campaign:

• Reinforcing the urgency and impact of public health careers

• Communicating about the resilience of the public health field and the transferability of skills gained within a public health degree program

• Emphasizing that most public health graduates work outside of the federal government

• Highlighting stories of alumni who are making an impact in a diverse range of jobs

Despite fluctuations in certain sectors, the demand for public health expertise remains strong. Graduates with public health degrees bring critical thinking, policy development, and data analysis skills that are highly transferable across industries, from healthcare and technology to environmental science and community engagement.

Through Public Health, Now More Than Ever, ASPPH and its member schools are issuing a call to action to students: The world needs public health professionals, and there has never been a more important time to enter the field.

To learn more and explore opportunities in public health, visit our Academic Program Finder or follow ASPPH on LinkedIn or Instagram.

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