Public Health: A STEM Major or Not?
Public health has been an increasingly important topic of discussion in recent times, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As such, many students are looking to pursue public health as their major in college to contribute towards creating a healthier nation. However, the debate on whether public health is a STEM major or not remains a contested issue. In this article, we explore the various arguments for and against this debate and what it means for students pursuing public health.
STEM Definition
To understand this debate, let’s first define STEM. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These fields are heavily focused on analytical and quantitative skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. Given that public health includes various subfields like epidemiology, biostatistics, and environmental health, some people argue that public health falls under STEM.
Arguments Against Public Health as a STEM Major
One of the main arguments against public health being a STEM major is that it does not fall under the traditional definition of STEM fields. While public health does require its students to learn and apply quantitative and analytical skills, the nature of the work is different. Public health involves analyzing and improving the health of populations and communities, which requires a varied skill set, including communication and social sciences.
Moreover, some argue that public health should be considered its own distinct field instead of being subsumed under STEM. Public health focuses on collaboration with other professionals, including social workers, physicians, and policymakers. Therefore, public health is more of a multidisciplinary major, focusing on the broader picture of community health, rather than a specialized STEM field.
Arguments in Favor of Public Health as a STEM Major
On the other hand, some argue that public health should be considered a STEM major. First, public health requires students to possess a strong foundation in science, mathematics, and statistics, particularly in subfields like epidemiology and biostatistics. Students studying public health need to understand numerical data and perform data analysis to design effective interventions.
Furthermore, technology is a crucial component of public health, as researchers use digital tools to analyze and track health data. For instance, health informatics is a subfield of public health, which uses technology systems to organize and analyze healthcare data. Therefore, public health is not just about biology and chemistry, but also about data management and technology.
Conclusion
In summary, public health’s status as a STEM major is a topic of discussion that remains up for debate. While there are valid arguments on both sides, it’s clear that public health requires students to utilize both quantitative and qualitative skills to improve public health outcomes. Whether public health is considered a STEM major or not is a minor, technical point, but it should not detract from its importance as a critical field that contributes towards creating a healthier society.
If you’re a student considering pursuing public health in college, keep in mind that it’s a field that requires a diversity of skillsets. Public health is about working collaboratively to improve health outcomes in communities by analyzing data, developing interventions, and building public policies. Focus on gaining knowledge in quantitative fields like mathematics, biology, computer science, and statistics, and ensure that you also learn soft skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership to succeed in this field.
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