Public Health EssentialsCornell

Certificate Program

The field of public health has been evolving for centuries, and thanks to research and documentation, you will learn from and build upon the lessons and successes of the past. In this course, you will explore how public health is funded and administered in the U.S., what some of the key tools and functions of public health are, and who implements this powerful work in our communities.

You are required to have completed the following course or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Public Health Foundations

Public health actions should be informed by data, and opportunities to use data that can inform public health interventions are everywhere. In this course, you will build your data- and evidence-based public health skills and confidence. You will explore trusted and reliable sources of public health data and look for themes and disparities that can answer your questions about a community's health and wellbeing.

You will identify factors in your own community that contribute to positive or negative public health outcomes and practice supporting your perspective with data. Finally, you will connect those factors to the organizations and services that can help address them, offering recommendations you can use to serve and improve the health of the community in which you live or work.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Public Health Foundations
• Assessing and Implementing Public Health

Practicing public health involves working directly with people to advocate for and support the behaviors that will prevent disease, promote health, and prolong life among individuals and the population as a whole. Through this course, you have the opportunity to enhance your ability to facilitate behavior change by studying behavior principles. You begin by examining two important behavior models and considering several different factors that influence behaviors. You will then review key components of effective public health communication, including audience analysis and accessible messaging. Finally, you will explore and practice critical strategies for developing trust and meaningful connections with people of other cultures and social identities.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Public Health Foundations
• Assessing and Implementing Public Health
• Using Public Health Data for Action

Human health depends upon the health of the environment in which we live. We create systems to bring us clean water and to take away our waste, or we try to plant trees to keep land from washing away and to filter the air. Unfortunately, we also make changes to our environment that have the unintended effect of hurting our health.

Sometimes people think issues like air pollution or natural disasters are “too big,” yet there are things we can each do that will help protect ourselves. When combined, these individual actions can make a real difference.

You will start by understanding the risks then, using a case-study approach, examine some of the main environmental issues that affect our health. Looking back at history as well as into the future, you will share ideas for your role in addressing these problems.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Public Health Foundations
• Assessing and Implementing Public Health
• Using Public Health Data for Action
• Supporting Public Health Behaviors