Public health is a universal umbrella–a crucial component needed to protect all things living and the environment safe from dangerous effects of disease, disasters and ultimately human actions.
Growing up on Chicago’s Southside (a heavily industrialized area) and obtaining my BA in Environmental Studies from DePaul gave me a lot of exposure to the detrimental effects of anthropogenic pollutants and climate change. I felt that I needed to further prepare myself to tackle these issues by attending one of the best schools in this nation that address and dedicate their time to protecting the public’s health–this is what inspired me to study public health.
The single most rewarding experience of my studies so far is witnessing my peers, alongside with professors effectively working together to come up with solutions to better the future and protect the public’s health.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance when school, work or life gets tough… You will always have supporters willing to fight for you–to make sure you succeed.
The biggest challenge the public health field should be focusing on is teaching people how to adjust to climate change and live sustainable lives.