University of Southern Denmark

MSc in Public Health

Specializations in:

• Global Health and Equity
• Health Economics and Policy

There are major social inequalities in average life expectancy. Even in the most affluent societies, like the Scandinavian countries, there are population subgroups who have a shorter lifespan than an average citizen and/or spend many more life years with chronic disease. What are the underlying causes for such inequalities – and what can be done to prevent or reduce them?

Public health efforts are aimed at detecting and reducing inequity between different groups in society by taking action. But how can action be taken to support people to make healthy decisions? Why does it often seem that prevention campaigns have a limited effect, that they do not benefit those most in need, and how can we make improvements?

New international crises like war in Europe and climate change will be a burden for our health systems and lead to increased migration. How can migrants’ health be ensured? Will the climate crisis lead to new pandemics?

These and many other questions are dealt with in our Public Health program, where policy analysis connects with behavioral sciences, medicine, health sociology as well as epidemiology and biostatistics, and where environmental and social determinants are seen as central predictors of future population health status.

With a Master of Science degree in public health you will work to improve public health in populations by working with health promotion and disease prevention at local, national and international level. You will be qualified to work with e.g., health planning, development, consultancy, teaching and research in relation to disease prevention and health promotion.