Public Health Concept List Authorities¶
Several major organizations influence and guide the concepts, competencies, accreditation standards, and curriculum design of college-level public health courses and degree programs in the United States and internationally.
Here are the most influential organizations grouped by their role.
Accreditation and Curriculum Standards¶
Council on Education for Public Health¶
CEPH is the primary accrediting body for schools and programs of public health in the United States.
CEPH defines:
- Foundational public health knowledge
- Core competencies
- Required curriculum areas
- Applied practice expectations
- Cross-cutting skills such as systems thinking, communication, ethics, and leadership
Most undergraduate and graduate public health programs align their curriculum to CEPH competency frameworks.
Official website: Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Key curricular domains include:
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Environmental health
- Health policy and management
- Social and behavioral sciences
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health¶
ASPPH represents accredited schools and programs of public health and helps shape educational standards and workforce competencies.
ASPPH publishes:
- Undergraduate learning outcomes
- Workforce readiness frameworks
- Public health competency models
- Teaching resources
Official website: Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)
Government Public Health Agencies¶
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¶
The CDC heavily influences college public health curriculum through:
- Epidemiology training models
- Disease surveillance frameworks
- Public health emergency preparedness
- Social determinants of health
- Public health communication standards
Many intro public health courses are structured around CDC frameworks and case studies.
Official website: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Important educational frameworks:
- Public Health 101
- Essential Public Health Services
- One Health initiatives
- Community health models
National Institutes of Health¶
NIH shapes the scientific and biomedical foundations of public health education.
Topics influenced by NIH include:
- Population health research
- Health disparities
- Prevention science
- Nutrition
- Mental health
- Genetics and genomics
- Behavioral interventions
Official website: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
International Public Health Organizations¶
World Health Organization¶
WHO strongly shapes global public health curricula.
Key concepts include:
- Global burden of disease
- Health equity
- Social determinants of health
- Universal health coverage
- Pandemic preparedness
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Official website: World Health Organization (WHO)
Many global health courses are built directly around WHO frameworks.
United Nations¶
UN agencies influence public health education through:
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Human rights frameworks
- Climate and health policy
- Child and maternal health
- Refugee and humanitarian health
Official website: United Nations
Professional Associations¶
American Public Health Association¶
APHA is one of the most influential professional organizations in public health.
APHA influences:
- Public health ethics
- Advocacy
- Policy education
- Community health
- Equity and justice frameworks
Official website: American Public Health Association (APHA)
Its annual conference often shapes emerging curriculum topics.
Society for Public Health Education¶
SOPHE focuses specifically on:
- Health education
- Behavioral science
- Community engagement
- Program planning
- Health communication
Official website: Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE)
Competency and Workforce Framework Organizations¶
Public Health Foundation¶
The PHF developed the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals framework used by many colleges.
Official website: Public Health Foundation
Competency domains include:
- Analytical skills
- Policy development
- Communication
- Cultural competency
- Leadership
- Systems thinking
Specialized Influencers¶
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality¶
AHRQ influences:
- Healthcare quality
- Patient safety
- Health systems
- Evidence-based practice
Official website: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Environmental Protection Agency¶
EPA influences environmental health curriculum:
- Air quality
- Water safety
- Toxicology
- Climate and health
- Environmental justice
Official website: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Common Foundational Concept Areas Across Public Health Programs¶
Most college public health programs organize concepts around these domains:
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Environmental Health
- Social & Behavioral Health
- Health Policy & Management
- Global Health
- Health Equity & Social Determinants
- Public Health Ethics
- Community Health
- Public Health Communication
- Prevention Science
- Systems Thinking
The Most Influential Framework Overall¶
In the United States, the combination of:
- Council on Education for Public Health accreditation competencies,
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health practice models,
- and World Health Organization global health frameworks
forms the backbone of most undergraduate and graduate public health curricula.