Public health professionals and researchers play a crucial role in identifying health disparities and the advancement of health equity among different groups. A health equity degree in public health can help you assume one of these roles in organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Health (NIH), community groups and hospitals.

It’s more common for the health equity concentration to be offered with master’s degrees, compared to bachelors and doctorate. If you are interested in health equity, read on to know more the following topics:

Deficiencies in healthcare access, treatment, and outcomes across populations are predictable, avoidable and unjust. These inequalities or disparities challenge public health policies, health advocates and medical professionals every day. Health equity is achieved when all gaps no longer exist, and individuals across different populations attain their full health potential. 

Gaps in health and healthcare across the United States continue to grow. They are reflected in the differences in length of life, quality of life, rates of disease, the severity of disease, access to treatment and death among those unable to achieve health equity due to social determinants such as:

Overcoming these social determinants and attaining health equity among these disadvantaged groups improves the health of the overall population and ensures the social justice of inclusion for all individuals.

Few of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredited institutions offer bachelor’s degrees in public health with the health equity concentration. When accredited, this academic program provides students a solid foundation in statistical analysis and research methods and positions graduates for entry-level employment in medicine, health education and global health research. In addition to standard admission requirements such as a resume or letter of recommendation, schools might request a personal statement or essay and a written response to a supplemental question.

Curriculum for a bachelor’s degree in health equity consists of required Bachelor of Public Health (BSPH) courses, general education classes, along with a designation number of internship and community service hours. Courses may include:

A master’s in public health with a concentration in health equity focuses on racial disparities and the management of cross-cultural relationships. Graduates prepare for positions in various organizations, including government agencies and nonprofits to develop and assess culturally-appropriate programs and carry out community needs assessments to improve the health of diverse rural populations.

Several CEPH-accredited institutions offer a master’s degree with a concentration in health equity, including Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH). You can also find both on-campus and online MPH programs across the U.S. that offer this concentration. Some concentrations may not be called “health equity,” but you can still expect the similar learning outcomes from these programs.

There are only a few CEPH-accredited doctoral programs in health equity. The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program is designed to prepare individuals for leadership positions with organizations engaged in the planning and implementing initiatives designed to meet public health needs. In addition to standard school application materials, DrPH applicants should have:

As with any career, salaries vary according to factors including level of education, job experience and geographic location. The collection of skills gained from a master’s in health equity allows for careers that are diverse and include:

Public health professionals can work in a variety of traditional and non-traditional settings in the public, nonprofit and private sectors:

Information last updated as of February 2021