In recent years, the significance of public health has become increasingly apparent. Communities are grappling with various health challenges such as a housing crisis and economic instability, expanding the role of public health professionals significantly.
“There’s a lot that has happened in the last probably half-decade that is really kind of starting to shape what the future of public health will look like,” says Neil Maniar, Director of the Master of Public Health program at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences.
These public health challenges are known as social determinants of health, which are currently reshaping public health. But what are social determinants of health and how do they apply to public health trends?
What Are Social Determinants of Health?
Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, and work that are influenced by factors like housing, education, and economic stability—significantly influencing health outcomes and disparities.
Addressing these determinants is vital for ensuring all individuals have the opportunity to achieve their full health potential. For example, housing stability affects many people’s ability to maintain consistent access to healthcare services, nutritious food, and safe environments. Without these staples, communities are more vulnerable to chronic disease and other negative health factors.
According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, a recent study found six percent of homeless people in New York City had diabetes, 17 percent had hypertension, 17 percent had asthma, 35 percent suffered from depression, and 53 percent had a substance use disorder.
Recognizing the importance of social determinants of health, Master of Public Health (MPH) programs are increasingly focusing on how to address these challenges to achieve systemic reform.
“We, as an institution, recognize that as we prepare our students for the future of public health we cannot let go of those foundational areas of knowledge and expertise that are really the bedrock of good public health practice,” Maniar says.
As public health challenges evolve, the ability to understand and address social determinants becomes even more important. If you’re interested in how public health is starting to tackle these health-related challenges, here’s an overview of the top public health trends you should know about and how they’re affecting public health education.
5 Public Health Trends You Should Know About
1. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming public health. AI technologies, such as machine learning and predictive analytics, are enabling public health professionals to analyze vast amounts of data with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
This capability is particularly essential for identifying patterns and trends that can inform effective public health interventions. AI algorithms can analyze medical records, social media posts, and other data sources to identify outbreaks and predict their spread, allowing for earlier detection of various health risks.
For example, this technology was crucial during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. when public health professionals were trying to track the virus’s spread and identify hotspots for more controlled, and less disruptive, isolation measures.
“The integration of data science and public health is really important as we’re trying to predict future pandemics,” Maniar says. “And having more sophisticated models of disease surveillance is critical for this.”
AI also enhances decision-making in public health. Predictive analytics allow officials to make more informed decisions during emergency situations, like natural disasters, where quick and accurate decision-making can save lives.
2. Public Health Technology
The integration of technology in public health is reshaping public health. This has led to a rising trend in public health technology, which refers to the use of technological tools and innovations to improve health outcomes and public health practice.
“Public health technology is pivotal, now more than ever,” Maniar says. “It has improved accessibility and even affordability of health services in many cases.”
This includes the use of data analytics, health informatics, telehealth, mobile health applications, and electronic health records. These tools and methodologies are often essential for tackling complex health challenges.
For instance, data analytics allows public health professionals to process and interpret vast amounts of health data to:
- Track disease spread
- Identify health trends
- Predict potential disease outbreaks
Master of Public Health (MPH) programs are at the forefront of this technological shift, placing a strong emphasis on health informatics. These programs teach students how to manage and analyze health data, equipping them with the skills needed to harness the power of technology for public health purposes.
3. Health Equity
Health equity is a crucial trend in public health, driven by a growing commitment to ensuring every individual has a fair and just opportunity to achieve the highest level of health.
Technology plays a central role in healthcare delivery and access, but it has contributed to health disparities among different populations. As a result, health equity requires a comprehensive understanding of how technology impacts health outcomes and what strategies promote equitable access to digital health resources.
“We have to think about the role that technology plays as a social determinant of health, understanding that digital equity is really important—that neighborhoods need the infrastructure to adopt these technologies,” Maniar says.
For example, there’s been a steady rise in telehealth services and online health information. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, telehealth utilization has increased since pre-COVID-19 levels, with 76 percent of consumers reporting they’re interested in using telehealth going forward compared to only 11 percent a few years prior.
While these services are meant to improve access, they’ve also revealed significant gaps in access to technology in underserved communities.
MPH programs teach students how the lack of digital resources impacts health outcomes and to design interventions that address these gaps. This training is essential for preparing public health professionals to lead efforts in creating more equitable health systems and communities in the digital age.
4. Public Mental Health
There’s a growing awareness of the profound impact mental health has on overall well-being. According to Mental Health America, nearly one in five American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. This trend has led many public health professionals to address a wide range of issues like depression, anxiety, and trauma in communities that experience violence and unexpected disasters.
“Mental health encompasses a lot, right?” Maniar says. “It encompasses everything from depression and other mental health issues to the trauma that’s caused by high levels of violence in the community or unpredicted events like natural disasters.”
For instance, during the peak months of the pandemic widespread lockdowns, many communities experienced mental health challenges as a result of social isolation measures. According to the National Institutes of Health, 43 percent of participants reported severe isolation, 12 percent experienced severe levels of depression, and 50 percent had anxiety during the peak of the pandemic.
“There were really significant mental health burdens placed on individuals, families, and communities during these lockdowns,” Maniar adds. “And while the virus was dangerous, so were the mental health burdens the public endured.”
This period brought to light the need for robust mental health support systems and the integration of mental health considerations into public health strategies. MPH programs emphasize the importance of understanding mental health as a public health issue and train students to develop and implement strategies that address mental health disparities.
This includes:
- Promoting mental health awareness
- Improving access to mental health services
- Integrating mental health into broader public health initiatives
By integrating mental health into public health education and practice, future public health professionals are better equipped to tackle the complex mental health challenges faced by communities today.
5. Aging Population
The growing elderly population is becoming increasingly prominent in public health. As life expectancy rises and the baby boomer generation ages, there’s a higher demand for public health services tailored to chronic diseases and age-related health issues.
“As our ability to treat and manage chronic illness has improved, we now have a population that is not just growing older but is growing older while managing different chronic illnesses,” Neil says.
According to the American Hospital Association, an estimated 133 million Americans—nearly half the population—suffer from at least one chronic illness, such as hypertension, heart disease and arthritis.
MPH programs have responded by incorporating gerontology and chronic disease management into their curricula. These programs are designed to equip future public health professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to support an aging population, keeping the broader social determinants of health in mind.
Therefore it’s important to ensure older adults have access to comprehensive healthcare services, including preventive care, mental health support, and community resources.
Public health technology also plays a vital role in managing the health of an aging population. Innovations such as telehealth, remote monitoring, and electronic health records facilitate better management of chronic diseases and enhance the quality of care for older adults.
These technologies enable healthcare providers to monitor patients’ health in real-time, adjust treatment plans as needed, and ensure continuity of care.
Become a Leader in Public Health
Understanding public health trends is essential for effectively helping underserved communities. And while these trends are well-known to the public, earning an advanced education is essential to understanding how to address them.
“I think an MPH degree has become more popular over the last several years because we’re starting to see the value of public health in so many aspects of individual and community well-being,” Maniar concludes.
If you’re interested in making a difference, earning a Master of Public Health degree from Northeastern University can prepare you to become an innovative and impactful public health leader across many different industries and sectors. The interdisciplinary coursework and experiential learning model provide a strong and enduring foundation of knowledge and skills to address complex public health challenges in nearly every industry.
