While the COVID-19 pandemic devastated health systems and economies and increased health disparities around the world, it also inspired many world changers who aspire to pursue an education in this field. Such was the case of graduates Dr. I understand the times, a medical professional from a low-income country with little public health knowledge. “Working during the COVID-19 pandemic sparked my interest in public health,” she shares. “I have changed my career goals and now strive to become a successful public health consultant.”
time knew that pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at King’s College London (King’s) was the only way to go. It was the only program and institution that could help it truly realize its potential to improve health disparities, access to health care, and health policy. Indeed, today time works as a research fellow at King’s after being awarded a 2022 Pan London Cancer Alliance Fellowship, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Step into King’s and you’ll discover excellence in every sense of the word. It is an internationally renowned university, offering exceptional education and world-leading research. Such prestige leads to great influence. Ultimately, King’s strategic vision revolves around educating the next generation of changemakers who will challenge ideas, drive global improvement through research, give back to society through meaningful service, work with communities local to London and will draw international perspectives.
Aware of the peerless reputation of the King, student Vedha Viyas Thilagarajan – who previously worked in medical device research and development – believes that the Global Health MSc program will teach him the ins and outs of developing healthcare solutions.
“While working in the development of medical devices, I understood the role of social, political and cultural factors in influencing the user’s decision. It was then that I decided to pursue the Global Health MSc program, through which I aim to bridge the gap between policy implementation and medical device research. Thilagarajan says.
Source: King’s College London, Ian Farrell
Actually, in of the King, capacities and skills from different disciplinary backgrounds are welcome. Students pursuing Population Health are presented with numerous opportunities to immerse themselves in other faculties, some of which include mental health, policy evaluation, geography, climate, urban health and inequalities.
Its newest School of Life Course and Population Sciences approaches Population Health differently. Based on the King’s Guy’s and Danmark Hill campuses, the school houses over 160 experts who work with patients and communities to research and understand how to improve the overall health of populations and reduce health inequalities. Academics span a breadth of disciplines including primary care, social sciences, health informatics, epidemiology, statistics and health economics.
They operate alongside King’s Health Partners in London, across the NHS, as well as in Somaliland, Sierra Leone AND Democratic Republic of Congo through their Center for Global Health and Health Partnerships. There are also numerous studies in other parts of Asia, Africa, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean. Students have opportunities to learn experientially by collaborating with local in-country teams on their dissertations.
Source: King’s College London
From this, therapies and models of care are evaluated, prevention programs are developed and evaluated, with data science, prevention and equity being critical aspects of the research. Some key examples include the transformation of stroke rehabilitation, the association of antidepressant use with weight gain, and the discovery of links between urban deprivation and long-term health problems. Hence, outstanding recognition from the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021).
Combine outstanding research with strong academics and students, they are set to take industry and academia by storm. The School’s taught postgraduate programs are some of the best in the world, such as the Women’s and Children’s Health MSc, MPH, Nutrition MSc, Global Health MSc, Life Course Sciences MPhil/PhD/MD and Health Economics for Life Sciences and Medicine (HELM). among others.
Each program is integrated with clinical service and research, as well as with primary care and the community. For example, students following the Women’s and Children’s Health MSc program receive multidisciplinary teaching and dedicated training. Regardless of their educational background (biomedical, clinical, health professionals), they develop an academic and contemporary understanding of the biological and environmental influences related to pregnancy, and the lifelong physical and mental well-being of women and their babies.
“Working in the health charity sector made me think more closely about how the population views their health, what the role of statutory services and voluntary organizations is in helping people achieve and maintain good health, and why some individuals have more unlikely to engage with these services”, explains student Prerana Kaneri.
“The MPH study, then, felt like a good way to answer some of these questions. Throughout the program, I had some new, unexpected questions and was encouraged to voice these and challenge things I disagreed with. This has been particularly valuable for my current role, which is within the social welfare and equality space.”
There’s no denying that King’s reputation, rankings, research and central location make it the perfect destination for those who want to lead change for the greater good. Click here to learn how you can become a proud member of the impressive community of this renowned institution.
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