What Is Community Health?

Over 30.5 million people lived in underserved communities in 2023, according to figures from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Within public health, community health is a field that focuses on the well-being of populations. It is a collective effort to improve the health of individuals by addressing environmental, social, and economic factors that affect the overall health of people living in a specific geographical region.

Community health emphasizes a broad, systemic approach to preventing disease and promoting health across an entire community rather than focusing on the health of individuals. Because of this community focus, public health experts need specialized education, such as a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education, to support communities with diverse needs.

The Importance of Community Health

Community health is often best understood as an educational process. Experts in this field develop, implement, and evaluate community-based programs that address pressing health issues, communicate important information, and promote healthier lifestyles. They also engage community members in health promotion activities, ultimately contributing to better health across the community.

Consider some of the ways that community health positively affects large groups of people:

Health Equity: Community health focuses on reducing health disparities by ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, has access to the resources they need to lead a healthy life.
Resource Efficiency: By addressing health at the community level, scarce medical resources can be allocated more effectively and prevention can be prioritized.
Systemic Impact: Community health strategies tackle these systemic issues, creating healthier environments that lead to better health outcomes for everyone.
Preparedness for Public Health Crises: Community health plays a vital role in coordinating crisis responses, disseminating accurate information, and ensuring that preventive measures reach everyone.
Prevention of Widespread Issues: Community health initiatives aim to prevent health problems before they start by addressing factors like pollution, access to nutritious food, safe housing, and education.

Careers in Community Health

Graduates of public health degree programs can pursue any of a number of public health careers in community health. Some potential roles include:

Community Health Worker

Community health workers (CHWs) promote health and wellness at the grassroots level, working closely with people in underserved populations to provide them with education, advocacy, and health care services. Their responsibilities are centered on improving access to health care services by acting as a bridge between communities and health care providers. CHWs may work with individuals or educate communities about relevant health topics.

As of May 2023, the median annual wage for community health workers was $48,200, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Health Promotion Specialist

Health promotion specialists are public health professionals focused on educating and empowering communities and individuals to adopt healthier behaviors and lifestyles. They develop and implement health education campaigns, policies, and programs to prevent diseases and promote healthy living. They typically work in government, health care facilities, and nonprofits, focusing on educating the public and promoting healthy behaviors.

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for health education specialists, closely related to health promotion specialists, was $62,860 as of 2023.

Public Health Analyst

Community health professionals rely heavily on data to create and evaluate programs, so data specialists often play a key role. Public health analysts are data-driven professionals who collect and interpret public health data. They analyze health trends and outcomes to provide evidence-based recommendations to shape policies and programs. They often work with government agencies or health care organizations to help evaluate the efficacy of the public sector’s many health interventions.

Public health analysts had a median annual salary of around $70,800 in August of 2024, according to Payscale.

Beyond these roles, the National Association of Community Health Workers is a membership organization for professionals across the U.S. that offers resources for aspiring community health workers. As a part of its mission to promote community health, equity, and social justice, NACHW creates opportunities to connect with other community health workers in the field and to share job opportunities and best practices.

Trends in Community Health

The practice of community health is continuously evolving, with new trends emerging as society and technology advance. Some current trends include:

1. Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a collaborative research approach that involves members of the community as active participants throughout the research process. Unlike traditional research, where academics or professionals may define the research questions and methods, CBPR emphasizes shared ownership and decision-making among researchers and community members.

Community involvement ensures that the research addresses the most pressing needs and can be applied effectively within the community. Since the community plays a key role, they are more likely to continue using the knowledge or interventions long after the research has concluded.

2. Health Equity Initiatives

Health equity initiatives are programs, policies, and strategies focused on reducing disparities and improving health outcomes for marginalized populations.

Such initiatives seek to eliminate disparities in health outcomes based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, gender, and disability. These initiatives aim to ensure that individuals in every community have equitable access to health care, regardless of their social or economic circumstances.

3. Telehealth

Telehealth in the context of community health refers to the use of digital communication technologies — such as video conferencing, phone calls, mobile apps, and remote monitoring tools — to provide health care services and education to individuals, especially in underserved or rural areas.

Telehealth enables health care providers to reach patients who might face barriers to accessing in-person care, such as transportation issues, geographic isolation, or limited availability of health care facilities.

Community health initiatives often use telehealth platforms to deliver health education on topics such as nutrition, exercise, and disease prevention. This allows public health professionals to reach a larger audience and tailor programs to the needs of specific communities.

Skills Needed in Community Health

Success in community health requires a broad range of skills that allow professionals to work effectively with diverse populations, implement health initiatives, and evaluate program outcomes. The following are some of the key skills necessary for professionals in this field:

Cultural Competence: Health workers need to understand and respect the diverse backgrounds and needs of community members, and to honor their different health beliefs, traditions, and practices.
Communication Skills: Community health professionals need effective communication skills to be able to convey health information, build trust with community members, and promote healthy behaviors.
Analytical Thinking: Community health professionals must be able to employ analytical thinking to identify community members’ barriers to health care access or behavioral changes and develop innovative solutions to help them overcome these challenges.
Empathy and Interpersonal Skills: Building strong, trusting relationships with community members requires empathy and the ability to connect on a personal level.
Project Management Skills: Professionals often oversee community health projects or programs, requiring them to have high-level organizational skills to be able to manage resources, timelines, and teams effectively.

These skills are integral to implementing community health programs that are not only effective but also sustainable and inclusive.

Promote Public Health With the BS in Public Health Education at NCCU Online

Community health is a dynamic and impactful field that plays a critical role in enhancing the well-being of populations. Whether through direct service, education, or research, professionals working in community health have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in society.

If you’re interested in learning more about how a degree in public health education can prepare you for a career in community health, consider exploring the online Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education program at NCCU Online. This program provides a comprehensive foundation in public health principles, with a strong emphasis on community health and wellness.

Explore out how NCCU Online can empower you to launch your career in public health.

Recommended Readings

How to Measure Health Equity

What Is a Public Health Nutritionist?

What Is a Social and Community Service Manager?

Sources:

American Hospital Association, Community Health and Well-Being

Elevance Health, “What Is Community Health and Why Does It Matter”

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Indeed, “Degree in Community Health: Types, Career Paths, and Skills”

National Association of Community Health Workers

Payscale, Public Health Analyst