The field of public health is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of populations through the organized efforts of society, organizations, and communities. Public health encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy, and health promotion. Its primary goal is to improve health and well-being, reduce the risk of disease and injury, and address health inequities within and between communities or populations. Public health professionals work tirelessly to identify and assess health assets, strengths, and risks, develop and implement ethical, evidence-based initiatives, and advocate for policies that improve health and well-being outcomes and enhance the quality of life for everyone.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of the public health field in protecting the well-being of populations worldwide. Public health professionals have played a central role in the response to the pandemic, working tirelessly to track and contain the spread of the virus, provide essential healthcare services, and educate the public about preventive measures. The pandemic has highlighted the interconnectedness of global health and the need for coordinated efforts to address emerging infectious diseases effectively. Public health interventions such as widespread testing, contact tracing, vaccination campaigns, and public health messaging have been essential in controlling the spread of the virus and alleviating its impact on healthcare systems and economies. The lessons learned from the pandemic emphasize the need for public health professionals to protect and promote the health and well-being of individuals, communities, and societies as a whole.
To respond to this need in Qatar, the Department of Public Health in the College of Health Sciences at QU Health in Qatar University (QU) offers a 4-year Bachelor's degree in public health and a 2-year Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. Both programs are in the process of being accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
The Bachelor program in Public Health has two concentrations: Health Education and Health Management. Health education focuses on equipping individuals and communities with knowledge, skills, and resources. Professionals in this concentration design and implement health promotion programs, conduct outreach initiatives, and develop educational and other materials to empower people to address or advocate for the conditions required for health and well-being. Health management emphasizes the administration, planning, and evaluation of health services and systems. Professionals in this concentration work to optimize the delivery of healthcare services, manage healthcare resources efficiently, and improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare for diverse populations. Professionals in both concentrations work in a broad range of settings, including health service organizations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. While both concentrations contribute to the broader goal of improving public health, health education emphasizes working in collaboration with priority populations and stakeholders to address the socio-ecological determinants of health, while health management focuses on the organizational and systemic aspects of health service delivery.
The Department of Public Health also offers an MPH degree with two concentrations: epidemiology and health promotion. Epidemiology focuses on the study of the distribution and determinants of health, disease, and injury in populations to identify patterns, causes, assets, and risk factors to inform public health initiatives and policies. Epidemiologists investigate outbreaks, conduct surveillance, analyze data, and design studies to understand the occurrence and distribution of health and disease. Health promotion involves the development, implementation, and evaluation of an ethical, evidence-based initiative to address the socio-ecological determinants of health and well-being at all levels, from the individual, family, community, and societal levels through to the global level. Multi-strategic health promotion initiatives focus on building healthy public policy, creating supportive environments, strengthening community action, developing personal skills, and reorienting health services. Health promotion specialists work collaboratively with communities, organizations, and policymakers to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequities.
The Bachelor and Master level programs in public health at QU offer a dynamic curriculum with students engaging in hands-on projects, case studies, and real-world scenarios to develop practical skills. Faculty members have extensive experience in public health, and students have the opportunity to learn from experts who are actively involved in research, policy development, and community engagement. QU is at the forefront of public health education in the region. Given the need for public health professionals in Qatar, we encourage students to enroll in our undergraduate or postgraduate program to make a difference in the health and well-being of the community.