The term “health programs” encompasses a broad range of initiatives that aim to improve overall health and well-being, reduce the incidence of certain diseases, and protect public health. Such efforts are typically implemented through the use of a variety of tools and methods including research, training, education, outreach, promotion, and advocacy. The success of these programs depends on innovation and effective implementation; an understanding of the challenges to health and health equity; an ability to develop, test and communicate a technical package of a limited number of high-priority interventions that together will have a large impact; communication of information to health care professionals, decision makers, and civil society to affect behavior change; a commitment to monitoring performance and implementing improvement, especially through rigorous evaluation; partnerships with other organizations to leverage resources and expertise; and political commitment to obtain funding and resources.
Health education programs aim to teach individuals and communities about the importance of living healthy lifestyles. Such programs often include education about topics such as weight control, hypertension, nutrition, physical fitness, and smoking cessation. In addition, they may focus on specific populations or areas of need such as mental health. Health education programs can be highly effective in decreasing illness and death rates by promoting positive behaviors that can significantly impact health outcomes.
A significant challenge to the implementation of effective health programs is their scalability. While justifiable moral outrage may encourage a desire to do everything possible for everyone, there are practical limitations to how rapidly and broadly a public health program can spread. These limitations exist for a variety of reasons, including financial and human resources, infrastructure, the quality of health care systems, behavioral change, and politics.
Vaccination programs are an example of successful health initiatives that can be rolled out at scale. These programs are often accompanied by education and community outreach initiatives that aim to increase immunization rates among under-served populations. Such efforts can help to address the vaccine gap in which many groups, particularly racial minorities, are under-vaccinated or not fully immunized.
The Master of Science in Clinical Research (MS-CR) program teaches health professionals how to conduct clinical research in the field, read and interpret published scientific literature, write and critique clinical research proposals, and participate in health policy discussions. It is a one-year program that starts in July, meets four to five days per week, and culminates with graduation the following June. In addition to coursework, students shape their interests through electives and work to address healthcare challenges locally and nationally through a practicum experience.