See photos of the class trip to the landfill.

The traditional medical model in the U.S. is very costly. Our yearly national health care bill is now approaching the $1500 Billion mark. The amount spent on health maintenance is projected to reach 17-19% of the Gross Domestic Product by the year 2000 (5% in 1960). From a national economical standpoint, prevention of disease and infirmity is a solution long overdue. Consequently a change in the medical sector in regard to both the health care approach as well as personnel is anticipated.

A renewed emphasis on health promotion will strengthen the demand for Bachelor’s prepared public health workers. The need for an increased number of well-educated preventive care professionals is supported by the finding that less than 25% of the current public health positions in the United States are occupied by individuals with an academically earned public health degree.

To meet this challenge a small number of universities in the US have developed undergraduate programs in public health. Loma Linda University School of Public Health currently is the only university in the Western US to offer an accredited Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) degree.

The LLU BSPH program contains the features of a broad-based education, combined with the study of public health related principles. Each of the three BSPH concentrations are designed to prepare individuals for professional positions in the medical computer science or health and fitness related fields. As an added bonus, the BSPH degree also provides a firm base for continued masters or doctorate studies in public health.

Students desiring to obtain the BSPH degree spend their freshman and sophomore years in a college setting of their choice, followed by two subsequent years at the School of Public Health.

LLU offers the following BSPH concentrations:

Wellness Management
This program is designed to prepare a professional who at the basic level, besides possessing expertise to manage a recreational facility, also is able to provide high quality, health and wellness services. Services designed to meet the specific needs of clients through a range of fitness and recreational activities in both public and corporate settings. The aim is to produce a graduate who can model healthy lifestyle choices and educate, motivate and support individuals in pursuit of a higher life quality.

Health Geographics
Students who enjoy computers and technology, besides liking the act of discovery, will be educated in the utilization of the latest Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology with focus on health and the environment. Emphasis is placed on preparing a professional who through the use of GIs is able to support environmental researchers, health care executives, and public health managers throughout the world to expand the frontiers of science and health.

Biomedical Data Management
Graduates of this program are educated to manage data in the biomedical field. Emphasis is placed on preparing a professional who will enjoy working as a member of a biomedical research team. Through insights in epidemiology and research methods this professional will be able to enter, analyze, and present data by the utilization of state-of-the-art computer software.

For further information and materials contact:

Cyril Connelly, EdD
Assistant Dean for Enrollment Development
School of Public Health
Nichol Hall Room 1521
Loma Linda, CA 92350
Cconnelly@sph.llu.edu
(800) 422-4558 (touch 5)