public health and safety are two issues that are of top priority for people living everywhere. Special offices are set in place specifically to handle problems that come up in these areas. These offices are known in most cities and states as the “Department of Public and Human Services”, and the “Department of Public Health.”  Some of the issues that are handled within these offices are health threats such as, communicable disease, food borne illnesses, toxic exposures, and natural and manmade disasters. The Department of Health also tries to raise awareness about health issues that affect society as a whole such as physical inactivity, obesity, heart disease, the use of tobacco, and poor nutrition.
     With such a demand for the overseeing of our community’s health issues, there is also a huge demand for people to pursue jobs in public health. There are a number of jobs available for those who have a desire to work right with the people in their communities and who want to see positive lifestyle changes being made by those they are helping. Public health professionals work in a variety of places and environments. You will find them in hospitals, public clinics, schools, colleges, voluntary health agencies, and working for pharmaceutical and/ or medical supply companies. The essential job being done by these people is to monitor and evaluate what the health needs of their particular communities are. They work to promote healthy living, and eliminate any environmental hazards that pose a threat to our population. Public health professionals make a huge difference in our communities, and we need them to ensure that our society stays healthy and informed.
     The job of the Department of Public Safety is, to protect the public and keep them safe. Jobs that fall within this department include police officers, paramedics, public transportation officials, and firemen. All of the men and women that fill these job descriptions, put their lives on the line each day to ensure that society is kept safe, protected, and that law and order are upheld daily. When applying for these jobs, the applicants often have to undergo rigorous testing both physical and psychological. The reasons behind the testing, is so the job seeker is proven to be able to handle the stresses of the job. When a person takes a job in public safety, their reasoning is usually that they want to make a difference in their communities. Without these people, our cities would not be safe places for us to live in.
     Some of the routine jobs tasks that are accomplished day to day by the dedicated people that work for both the departments of health and safety are, restaurant, nursing home, pool, beach and housing inspections, public immunization, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, water quality testing, the putting together of emergency kits, training in case of bioterrorism attacks, the handling of birth and death certificates, establishing suicide hotlines, promoting summer safety, and much more. Needless to say, we need people who are willing to step up and fill these important jobs that make a difference in our every day life.