Communities across America face complex public health challenges that affect millions of people every day. From chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes to emerging infectious disease threats and a youth mental health crisis, these issues require dedicated professionals who understand population health and can implement evidence-based solutions. Public health professionals work at the intersection of science, policy and community engagement to prevent disease, promote wellness and protect entire populations rather than treating individuals one at a time.
Addressing these challenges requires specialized education and training. Youngstown State University’s (YSU) online Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (BSAS) in Public Health program prepares students to make a real difference in their communities through coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, health services administration and behavioral science. The program offers three emphasis areas to match different career interests and community needs: Public Health Generalist, Health Education and Promotion, or Environmental Health and Safety.
Chronic Diseases Remain Leading Health Threats
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with one person dying every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease. In 2023, more than 919,000 people died from cardiovascular disease, accounting for one in every three deaths. The economic burden is staggering, with heart disease costing about $418 billion from 2020 to 2021 when combining healthcare services, medicines and lost productivity.
Diabetes compounds the cardiovascular disease problem. The American Heart Association reports that 29.3 million adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, while another 9.7 million have undiagnosed diabetes and 115.9 million have prediabetes. People with diabetes face twice the risk of heart disease compared to those without diabetes. Public health professionals develop prevention programs, educate communities about risk factors and work with healthcare systems to improve disease management and reduce preventable deaths.
Mental Health Crisis Affecting Youth and Adults
The nation’s youth mental health crisis demands urgent attention from public health professionals. The CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 40% of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, with rates particularly high for girls (53%) and LGBTQ+ youth. While this represents a slight improvement from 2021, the 10-year trend shows an alarming increase from 2013. One in five high school students seriously considered suicide in 2023.
Mental health challenges extend beyond youth populations. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that more than one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, totaling 61.5 million people. Despite the widespread need, only half of youth with mental health disorders received treatment in 2016, and just under half of young adults with mental illness received care in 2024. Public health professionals address these gaps by developing school-based mental health programs, connecting individuals to services and working to reduce stigma that prevents people from seeking help.
Infectious Disease Outbreaks Require Rapid Response
Vaccine-preventable diseases have resurged due to declining immunization rates. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reports that the CDC documented 16 measles outbreaks in 2024 compared with just four in 2023, driven by inadequate vaccination coverage. Pertussis cases increased more than six times compared to the previous year. During the 2023-2024 flu season, pediatric deaths reached 200, exceeding the previous high for a non-pandemic season.
Emerging threats like H5N1 bird flu require constant surveillance and rapid response capabilities. The CDC reported over 50 cases of bird flu in humans during 2024, including the nation’s first severe infection. According to Trust for America’s Health, fourteen states reduced public health funding in fiscal year 2024, highlighting resource challenges even as communities face multiple disease threats. Public health professionals conduct disease surveillance, coordinate outbreak response, promote vaccination programs and develop emergency preparedness plans to protect communities from infectious disease threats.
Building Careers That Address Public Health Challenges
Public health professionals tackle these challenges through diverse career paths in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems and community organizations. Health educators develop programs that change behaviors and reduce disease risk. Environmental health specialists ensure safe food, water and living conditions. Epidemiologists track disease patterns and identify outbreak sources. These roles require understanding population health data, implementing evidence-based interventions and working across sectors to create healthier communities.
Educational programs prepare students with core competencies in epidemiology, biostatistics and program planning while offering specialized training in areas like health promotion or environmental health. Many programs also prepare students for professional certifications such as Certified Health Education Specialist, which demonstrates mastery of health education competencies. With chronic diseases accounting for more than $1 trillion in annual costs and emerging infectious disease threats requiring rapid response, communities need qualified public health professionals who can translate science into action and policy into practice.
The complexity and scale of today’s public health challenges require a workforce equipped with both scientific knowledge and practical skills. As communities face chronic disease epidemics, mental health crises and infectious disease threats, public health professionals serve as essential problem solvers who protect and improve population health through prevention, education and policy change.
Make a Difference in Your Community With an Online BSAS in Public Health From YSU
The growing complexity of public health challenges creates expanding career opportunities for professionals equipped with the right education and training. An online Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Public Health degree from Youngstown State University provides the comprehensive training, professional credentials and practical expertise graduates need to become the problem-solvers their communities depend on to address chronic disease, mental health crises and emerging infectious threats.
Graduates qualify for in-demand roles in a range of settings including public health agencies, non-profits, academic institutions and private sector organizations. With flexible online learning, affordable tuition and specialized emphasis areas, students can prepare for roles where they make measurable impacts on the health challenges that matter most to them and their communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest public health issues in the United States today?
The biggest public health issues include chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, which account for over $1 trillion in annual healthcare costs. Mental health challenges affect more than one in five adults and two in five high school students. Infectious disease threats continue with vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks due to declining immunization rates. Additional major issues include substance use disorders, health equity disparities, environmental health hazards and maternal mortality.
How do public health professionals address chronic disease prevention?
Public health professionals develop community-wide prevention programs that address risk factors like physical inactivity, poor nutrition, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. They work with schools, workplaces and community organizations to create environments supporting healthy behaviors. Professionals also conduct surveillance to track disease patterns, educate the public about risk factors and coordinate healthcare systems to ensure access to screening and disease management services.
What role does public health play in addressing mental health crises?
Public health addresses mental health through prevention, early intervention and reducing barriers to care. Professionals develop school-based mental health programs, create awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and connect individuals to treatment services. They work to address social determinants of health like housing stability and community support systems. Public health also focuses on suicide prevention through community programs, crisis intervention services and training for people who can identify those at risk.
Why are vaccine-preventable diseases increasing in the United States?
According to the CDC, diseases like measles and pertussis have resurged primarily due to inadequate vaccination coverage. During the 2023-2024 school year, approximately 280,000 kindergartners lacked documentation of two MMR vaccine doses. Declining immunization rates are fueled by misinformation, vaccine hesitancy and access barriers. Public health professionals address these challenges through education campaigns, improving vaccine access and building trust with hesitant communities.
What education do I need to work in public health?
Entry-level public health positions typically require a bachelor’s degree in public health or a related field. Many positions also value professional certifications like Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist. Advanced positions may require a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. Practical experience through internships or community health work strengthens career prospects.
What types of careers address public health issues?
Health educators develop wellness programs in schools, workplaces and communities. Epidemiologists investigate disease outbreaks and analyze health data. Environmental health specialists ensure food safety and monitor environmental hazards. Community health workers connect underserved populations to healthcare services. Public health analysts evaluate programs and inform policy decisions. These professionals work in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, academic institutions and private companies.
How does public health differ from healthcare?
Healthcare focuses on diagnosing and treating illness in individual patients, while public health works to prevent disease and promote wellness across entire populations. Healthcare providers typically work one-on-one with patients in clinical settings. Public health professionals develop community-wide programs, conduct disease surveillance, create health policies and address social factors that influence health outcomes. Both fields are essential and often collaborate, but public health emphasizes prevention and population-level interventions.
What is the economic impact of public health issues?
The economic burden is substantial. Heart disease alone cost about $418 billion from 2020 to 2021 in healthcare services, medicines and lost productivity. Chronic diseases overall account for more than $1 trillion annually in the United States. Mental health conditions cost the economy through healthcare expenses, disability and reduced workplace productivity. Infectious disease outbreaks can overwhelm healthcare systems and disrupt economies. Effective public health prevention programs provide significant return on investment.
How can communities better prepare for public health emergencies?
Communities can strengthen emergency preparedness by maintaining robust disease surveillance systems, ensuring adequate public health funding and workforce capacity, developing emergency response plans and building partnerships between health departments, healthcare systems and emergency management agencies. Public health infrastructure investments enable rapid outbreak detection and response. Communities also benefit from health education campaigns, vaccination programs and social support systems that help vulnerable populations during crises.
What can individuals do to support public health in their communities?
Individuals can support public health by maintaining recommended vaccinations, practicing preventive health behaviors like regular physical activity and healthy eating, and seeking mental health support when needed. Community involvement through volunteering with health organizations, participating in health surveys and advocating for public health funding makes a difference. Individuals can also combat health misinformation by seeking information from reliable sources.
About Youngstown State University’s Online Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Public Health Program
Youngstown State University offers an accelerated and affordable path to a career in public health through its online Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Public Health program. The program builds students’ understanding of epidemiology, biostatistics, health services administration and behavioral science while offering flexibility to focus on one of three emphasis areas: Public Health Generalist, Health Education and Promotion, or Environmental Health and Safety.
Students can customize their education by choosing electives based on their interests or pursuing a minor track of study. The program’s transfer credit policy enables students to potentially earn their degree faster by accepting up to 90 transfer credits. Upon completing the program, graduates may be eligible to sit for professional certification exams including the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Certified Professional in Food Safety, or Registered Environmental Health Specialist in Training exams.
The online format is optimized for flexibility and convenience, making it accessible for working adults and students nationwide. YSU provides a high-value education that prepares graduates for rewarding careers addressing the public health challenges facing communities today.
Learn more about Youngstown State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Public Health program.
