Overview

The Institute of Medicine has recommended that all undergraduates have access to education in public health. The November 2006 Consensus Conference on Undergraduate Public Health Education sponsored by the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR), the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) and the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) recommended that all colleges and universities offer undergraduate courses especially “Public Health 101” and “Epidemiology 101”, as well as “Global Health 101” and experiential learning e.g., service-learning in public health. Public health practitioners are key to the implementation of undergraduate public health education especially at the 1900 colleges and universities without Schools or Programs. Introductory public health courses should be offered as part of general education and aim to develop an educated citizenry who understand and support public health intervention and institutions. Undergraduate public health education should also encourage students to pursue careers in public health. The recommendations of the Consensus Conference will be reviewed. The role of undergraduate public health education in career development and the roles of public health practitioners and health departments will be highlighted. The APTR-AAC&U Undergraduate Public Health Faculty Development Program funded by CDC will be reviewed including encouraging participation of APHA members in the 2008 Program. ASPH's roles designed to support the implementation of introductory undergraduate public health education in the 1900 colleges and universities without Schools or Programs will be discussed. Audience participation will be encouraged.