Chapter 5
Population and Family Health
Population and family health focuses on improving health outcomes for individuals, families and communities by addressing the social determinants of health, promoting preventive care and developing targeted health interventions. This field reduces health disparities and enhances the quality of life across diverse populations.
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Population Health Careers Outlook
Population and family health professionals can pursue careers such as:
- Health Educator: Develops and delivers educational programs to educate families and communities on important health topics, promoting healthier lifestyles and preventive care.
- Maternal Child Health Specialist: Works to improve the health outcomes of mothers, infants and children through education, advocacy and program development at local, national, or global levels.
- Community Engagement Specialist: Builds community partnerships helping to improve access to health services, educate on preventive care and address social determinants of health.
Professionals in this field work in settings such as nonprofit organizations, government agencies, healthcare organizations and international health organizations.
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Median Annual Salary
$62,860
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Employment for health educators and community health workers is projected to grow by 7% through 2033, faster than the average for all relevant occupations. The average annual salary for professionals in this field is approximately $62,860, depending on the role, level of experience and geographic location.
Population and Family Health Master’s Degrees at Columbia
The Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health offers two paths to an advanced degree in Population and Family Health: the MPH and MS programs. Both programs equip students to address public health challenges related to population health and the well-being of families.
The MPH in Population and Family Health is designed to provide a public health education with a focus on population health issues. Students gain expertise in health systems, policy development and strategies for improving health outcomes across diverse populations. The program includes core courses, specialized training and opportunities for hands-on experience through an Applied Practice Experience and Integrative Learning Experience paper. The MPH program can be completed full-time or in an accelerated one-year format for highly motivated professionals.
The MS in Population and Family Health is intended for individuals seeking advanced training in the field with an emphasis on research and specialized topics. Students are required to complete a core set of courses, including epidemiology and biostatistics and select electives based on their career interests. The MS program is flexible, with the option to be completed full-time in 9 months or part-time over 2-3 years. This degree is ideal for those seeking to develop technical expertise in public health research and analysis, particularly in the areas of family health, population health and related disciplines.
Both programs offer comprehensive training to address pressing global health issues, with the MPH focusing on public health applications and the MS providing deeper research skills and specialized knowledge.
Student Perspective
Nicole Cushman, MPH '11
Nicole Cushman is the Executive Director of Answer, a national organization that provides sexuality education and training to teachers and other professionals serving youth and adults. With nearly 15 years of experience in sexual and reproductive health, Nicole has worked to affect change in sexuality education policies and programs across the United States. In her current role, she oversees Answer’s education programs, fundraising and finances.
Nicole’s work reflects how the Mailman School’s MPH program’s emphasis on real-world problem-solving and the development of advocacy skills addresses public health challenges.
