Public Health

Public health is the field of science dedicated to promoting and protecting the health of populations. As defined by the Canadian Public Health Association, “Public Health is the organized effort of society to keep people healthy and prevent injury, illness and premature death. It is a combination of programs, services and policies that protect and promote the health of all Canadians.” The Chief Public Health Officer further emphasizes that the purpose of public health is “to achieve optimal health and well-being for all people.”

Community Health

Community health is a vital branch of public health that zeroes in on community engagement and addressing health inequities within communities. It is defined as “a multi-sector and multi-disciplinary area of study and practice that uses public health science and other approaches to engage and work with communities, in a culturally appropriate manner to improve health of a defined community.” This branch focuses on understanding and addressing the unique health needs of communities, considering social determinants of health, and fostering community participation to achieve better health outcomes.

Public health and community health both play a crucial role in creating healthier societies by implementing evidence-based strategies, advocating for health equity, and ensuring that health services are accessible and effective for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Studying community and public health opens a wide range of career opportunities. Graduates can work in government agencies such as health departments at the municipal, provincial, federal or international level, where they might focus on policy development, health education, or epidemiology. Non-profit organizations also offer roles in program management, advocacy, and community health initiatives. In the private sector, public health professionals can find positions in healthcare consulting, corporate wellness programs, and health communication. Additionally, there are opportunities in academia and research institutions, where individuals can contribute to advancing public health knowledge and practices. Overall, the field is diverse and offers numerous pathways to make a meaningful impact on community and global health.

Public health offers a variety of career opportunities, including roles such as:

• health promoter
• epidemiologist
• health analyst
• policy analyst
• research assistant
• program coordinator
• community health worker
• environmental or occupational health specialist

Professionals in medicine, nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy, kinesiology, and nutrition/dietetics also find public health skills highly valuable. This dynamic field is constantly evolving to address emerging and urgent public health challenges, relying on evidence-based decision-making to meet community health needs effectively.

The primary objective of the GDCPH is to equip learners with the essential skills in community and public health, including the skills necessary to inform evidence-based decision-making. Our program was developed through consultation with public health professionals and aligned with Canada’s Public Health Core Competencies, to specifically address emerging needs and critical gaps in the public health workforce. As a part-time online program, with four courses that can be completed in 16 months, we offer learners the flexibility to earn a diploma while meeting other demands. Our faculty include public health leaders working internationally, and our unique hybrid synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including experiential learning, were developed to meet the needs of today’s learners in community and public health and to prepare future leaders.