r/publichealth • u/TheYellowRose MPH Health Ed & Comm/MCH. RS • Nov 06 '24

DISCUSSION The US election and public health megathread

Please contain all election-related questions and commentary to this megathread! The repeat posts are clogging up the subreddit at this point. Thanks!

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u/willienelsonfan MHS health ed Nov 06 '24 edited Nov 06 '24

I’m concerned, unsurprised, and full of dread. I’m completing my master of health sciences in May. I want to leave my current job so badly. I wanted to get my DrPH too. I’m a young professional—this is my second year of post-undergrad work. I’m weary of my future career prospects.

Outside of myself—I’m deeply worried for people of color, women, queer people, trans people, pregnant women, and pretty much every disenfranchised American population. I’m worried about the spread of disease due to RFKs anti-vax nonsense. I’m worried about climate change & disaster response in the public sphere. Just worried about it all. So bleak.

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u/feralrainbowcreature Apr 14 '25

I’m wondering where you are at now? I wanted to go for my MPH. I was going to apply this fall to begin fall 2026, as I will have the required work experience by then. My interest is related to social determinants of health (my undergrad degree is literally titled Health Equity.)

Did you end up applying for a DrPH? I’m just so scared, (1) schools clearly are not a safe space for activism and forward thinking right now, (2) these programs are losing funding, and (3) im not sure what the academic climate is like right now if I’d actually be getting what I want and need out of the program. I’m curious what you ended up doing and if these fears are valid

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u/willienelsonfan MHS health ed Apr 14 '25

Hey! I am doing okay overall.

I’ll graduate with my MHS next month. I’m not planning on perusing a DrPH anytime within the next 5-7 years. Possibly not even at all. I’m not sure about the ROI. And, I kinda just want to enjoy life. I would have to work at full time job and do my doctorate so I can afford to live.

I don’t regret my masters at all. Yes, this is a really bad time for the field. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be like this for my entire work life (I hope!). I think my education was valuable. And it seems like a masters degree is the new undergrad degree these days.

I’m still at my job. It doesn’t seem like I’m at risk of losing it due to funding cuts. It’s draining the life out of me, but I’m afraid to take the risk of moving to a new company and getting fired there due to funding cuts. Also, my town has really limited job prospects.

Regarding the DrPH: I’m also worried about colleges not being a safe space for activism anymore. I’ve also noticed a decline in educational quality and the level of work among my peers. I feel bad saying it, but I feel like higher education is going to hell in a hand basket. It also kinda seems like high level degrees aren’t as respected as they used to be????

I think you should go for your MPH if that’s what you’d like to do. Or, if you’re going straight to doctorate education, I think that could be good too. Maybe just not planning on both right now?

Regardless, even though things are shit, I don’t think it would be a mistake to continue your education. I’m hoping one day there will be a swing back to respecting the value of education.

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u/feralrainbowcreature Apr 14 '25

I totally agree on the quality going down. I remember being so frustrated with my peers even in AP classes in highschool and being told college will be better. I was so disappointed. I took a lot of classes with opportunities for rich discussion and no one would even raise their hand. But for what I want to do I know an MPH is the next step. I put it off because I needed the work experience but now that I have it I’m just debating what to do next