How India’s Public Health Infrastructure is Creating Opportunities for BPH Graduates
Health is fundamental to development in every nation, including India, and, as the country becomes more populous, the demand for equipped health professionals, capable of dealing with public health issues, will grow. Hence, the need for Public Health, or BPH (Bachelor of Public Health) graduates. If you are interested in making a meaningful contribution to communities' health and making a real difference in society, we encourage you to consider a career in the area of public health. With this blog, we will explain what BPH is, how it works, and how it can open up a world of opportunities for you.
What is BPH?
BPH stands for Bachelor of Public Health. Unlike other health professional degrees like medicine or nursing, public health is not directly focused on treating individuals (one by one). Rather, it focuses on stopping diseases, teaching people how to live healthily and whole, and improving health systems for groups or populations. Rather than working with individuals, public health professionals are concerned with circumstances of large populations, like:
- The prevention of epidemics and disease (COVID-19, malaria, etc.)
- Teaching and empowering healthy living and wellness.
- Formulating health policies for better access to health care.
- Completing projects to improve sanitation practices and nutrition
Why is Public Health Important in India?
With over a billion and a half people and an overwhelming number of health challenges to surmount, the challenges of health in India seem to be enormous and layered. In terms of public health, India has to deal with controlling diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, disease emerging diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and a vast array of other health challenges that necessitate trained professionals that can manage and create public health. Public health in India covers a vast area of health services and considers some of the following factors:
- Vaccination Programs
- Health Education
- Sanitation and Occupational Health
- Public Health Policy Development
How Does BPH Work?
The BPH program is structured to provide students the knowledge and skills that are required to become a public health professional. The program spans for three years and during that time you will learn about the broad range of topics which encompass all aspects of public health. These topics include: