From our daily habits to the air we breathe, public health is way bigger than the doctors office. It touches every part of our lives—our physical wellbeing, mental health, environment, laws, and even scroll sessions.
Have you ever thought about how these areas of public health affect your life?
Gen Z is 27% more likely than any other generation to report mental health concerns. As teens face stressors like finances, violence, and climate change, Minnesota continues to invest in resources like in-school counseling and 988 Lifeline, a free service for suicide prevention.
Fun fact: we all need to breathe air and drink water. Our health starts with our environment, which is why the Minnesota Department of Health champions a Drinking Water Action Plan, regulations to reduce harmful forever chemicals, and more.
The scary impact of screen time on mental health is growing, with one in four 11-15 year olds reporting symptoms of social media addiction. While Minnesota passed a law requiring social media platforms to show a mental health warning, continuing to promote digital boundaries is essential.
Sleep is a crucial part of health. With 93% of teens saying they stay up late to use social media, the physical and mental cost of procrastinating sleep makes it harder to excel in school and beyond. Building a healthy nighttime routine and tucking your phone in earlier are important to feel your best.
It’s no secret that vaping can have a ton of serious health implications (check out the facts). But the risks are even higher with illegal, unregulated vapes that make up 86% of the market. Toxic materials like heavy metals, synthetic additives, and vitamin E acetate are all dangers of vapes that aren’t lab-verified.
Not to brag, but Minnesota is one of only five national CDC-designated Pathogen Genomics Centers of Excellence (PGCoE). That means we’re leading the charge in pathogen tracking, using high-tech tools and data to manage infectious diseases and prevent the next “lockdown” era.
If the idea of helping everyone stay healthy and safe is exciting to you, there’s more to discover!
Love taking on tough questions and finding solutions? A career in epidemiology or health informatics means figuring out how to apply research and data to improve health outcomes for everyone.
Possible careers: Epidemiologist, Research Consultant, Disease Intervention Specialist
Are you a people person who loves making connections? A career in community health or outreach could be for you, whether you’re raising awareness of important issues or helping individuals reach their health goals.
Possible careers: Community Health Educator, Community Outreach Specialist, Program Coordinator
If you’re into plants, animals, and being outdoors, you’ll love a career in Environmental Health. You can make an impact on climate change, pollution, and keeping both humans and the planet safe.
Possible careers: Environmental Health, and Safety (EHS) Specialist, Toxicologist, Wildlife Disease Specialist
Do you love using art, video, or writing to move people? Public health depends on powerful storytelling to broaden perspectives, shift culture, and inspire whole communities to live better.
Possible careers: Health Communication Strategist, Public Information Officer, Social Media Coordinator
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Visit health.mn.gov/tobacco to learn even more about commercial tobacco use in Minnesota.