Considering the Spectrum of Undergraduate Education: What Is and What Could Be

While frequently framed as a graduate level activity, education in public health is not limited to post-graduate programs in schools of public health. As new initiatives are considered to spur interest among our youth in the field of public health, it is imperative that existing efforts not be ignored. The opportunity to learn from those opportunities, to inform expanded efforts in response to the challenge of the Institute of Medicine requires careful consideration of those lessons and challenges already encountered. This discussion will incorporate the perspective of public health professionals and educators experiences in working with such programs. Also appropriate is recognition of the role to be played by relevant professional associations. The American Public Health Association has a longstanding history of engaging in activities germane to education of the public health workforce. With an eye to the future of public health, APHA brings a capacity, an Education Board and a perspective that merit recognition as we face the future of public health.