You may not realize it, but public health is all around us. When it’s working well, you don’t know it, and that’s the point.
Public health professionals address health in our communities, our environment, and in the systems that shape everyday life. We work to prevent disease before it begins, to avoid a crisis before it happens, and to reduce risks before they have the potential to harm anyone. That’s the power of public health—its success is measured not only in what happens, but in what never has to.
The clean water you drink? That is public health.
Food safety standards? That is public health.
Airbags, seatbelts and workplace safety laws? That is public health.
Vaccination programs? That is public health.
The list goes on, but you get the idea.
At the UGA College of Public Health, our vision is a healthier, safer, more equitable world for all in Georgia and beyond. Graduates from the College of Public Health—nationally known for its work related to aging, disaster preparedness, evidence-based practice, global infectious disease, and workplace health—typically go on to a diverse range of careers, including medicine, health education, emergency management, public health policy, environmental science and social work.
So, why does public health matter? Because it changes everything.
UGA College of Public Health
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Pursue understanding and take action at the University of Georgia College of Public Health.
Founded in 2005 as a response to the state's need to address important health concerns in Georgia, the UGA College of Public Health is dedicated to excellence and innovation in instruction, high-quality research and positive impact on communities through outreach and engagement activities. Faculty, staff and students at the College work with community and governmental partners to improve the healt
Who can you help if you choose a career in public health? Everyone.
Public health protects and improves the health of communities. It aims to prevent disease, prolong life and strengthen policy. At the UGA College of Public Health, our mission is to advance the health of all. Through research, hands-on learning, and community engagement, we commit to improving the public’s health in Georgia, our nation, and the world.
06/05/2026
Classes (well, some of them) might be out for the summer, but our Public Health Dawgs are still making an impact in communities here and around the world.
Meet Amber Kim, an incoming third-year health promotion major with a minor in gerontology. She’s on the Double Dawgs pathway pursuing her Master of Public Health in epidemiology. Amber just wrapped up a study abroad program in Thailand.
"This Maymester, I participated in the Comparative Health Systems study abroad program in Thailand, where we analyzed how the country successfully achieved Universal Health Coverage, said Amber. "A major highlight was transitioning from classroom lectures at Chulalongkorn University to real-world application during our academic field visits, including observing local healthcare delivery at Hua Hin Hospital and exploring insurance mechanisms at the National Health Security Office in Bangkok."
"This experience deepened my understanding of the intersection between health governance and local equity," Amber said. "I saw firsthand how Thailand is navigating a major demographic shift by prioritizing preventative care to extend health spans, while simultaneously observing how local administrative organizations manage healthcare resources. It reinforced my belief that effective health promotion requires structural resilience and community-driven allocation that meets people exactly where they are."
06/01/2026
What's it like to be a Public Health Dawg? The best.
We're the lucky ones. 💖 Counting down the days until campus is full again.
05/27/2026
Eating healthy doesn’t just lead to better health. It may also lower how much Americans spend on healthcare, according to new research from the University of Georgia
Researchers from the College of Public Health and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences examined data from more than 4,000 households across the United States.
CPH Professor Janani Rajbhandari said respondents who reported eating healthy spent less overall monthly and spent less on health expenditures. They were then able to apply those savings to other household needs.
You can learn more here: https://publichealth.uga.edu/eating-healthy-could-lower-health-expenses-for-families/
Creating healthier communities starts right here in Athens and reaches far beyond.
Through CPH's Department of Health Promotion & Behavior, students and faculty are making a real impact by partnering with local communities and turning knowledge into action.
Learn more: https://publichealth.uga.edu/departments/health-promotion-behavior/
05/25/2026
The UGA College of Public Health honors those who served and sacrificed.
05/21/2026
Staff Spotlight: Courtney Bingham has come full circle at CPH.
Bingham first earned her Master of Public Health and Master of Health Administration here. Now, as the program manager for the MHA program she serves as a mentor and guide for current students.
“Seeing how much they grow in the program and all of their accomplishments is my favorite part of my job,” Bingham said.
You can learn more about Bingham’s role in the college, including how she helped the MHA program earn CAHME accreditation in 2025, here: https://publichealth.uga.edu/mha-graduate-to-program-champion-bingham-supports-student-success-as-mha-program-manager/
05/19/2026
Managing your weight may keep your brain healthier for longer. A new study from the UGA College of Public Health found higher body mass index over time led to more rapid declines in cognitive functions, memory and executive functioning than what is typically seen in aging adults.
Suhang Song, lead author of the study and an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy & Management, says researchers also saw the impact of healthier habits.
“We found that if people managed their weight, they could significantly lower their rate of cognitive decline in just two years. That makes BMI one of the most easily modifiable risk factors when it comes to aging well.”
Learn more: https://publichealth.uga.edu/managing-your-weight-may-keep-your-brain-healthier-for-longer/
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