The University of New Mexico College of Population Health, we know that students interested in making a difference often ask: What’s the difference between population health and public health? While these two interconnected fields share common goals, their focus, approach, and career paths can be quite different.
Understanding the distinction is key to choosing is crucial for selecting the a degree that aligns with your academic goals—whether that’s our Bachelor of Science in Population Health (BSPH), our Master of Public Health (MPH), or our PhD in Health Equity Sciences.
Both population health and public health aim to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and support healthier communities. However, the scope of the populations served, and the strategies used to achieve impact, set them apart.
Population health bridges public health, and health care delivery, and policy, emphasizing how social determinants of health—like income, housing, education, community and access to health care—impact health outcomes for specific groups.
Rather than treating a single disease or responding to a single health threat, population health professionals work to understand patterns across groups and co-create long-term strategies that reflect community needs.
Our Bachelor of Science in Population Health (BSPH) program is one of the few of its kind in the country, giving undergraduate students the chance to:
Public health is a field of study that supports the well-being of entire populations through disease prevention, policy development, health education, health systems strengthening, and emergency response. It often operates at the governmental or systems level, think of efforts to contain an outbreak, improve vaccination rates, identify and prevent health risk factors, or address the health impacts of climate change.
Professionals in this field may:
For those who want to take their expertise even further, the PhD in Health Equity Sciences provides rigorous, equity-centered training for scholars committed to eliminating health disparities and advancing social justice in health. Through specialized coursework, applied research opportunities, and close faculty mentorship, students learn to critically apply and develop equity-focused frameworks that address the structural and social determinants of health. The program’s interdisciplinary design allows students to tailor their training across diverse concentrations such as community based participatory research and action science, epidemiology, global health equity and policy, and biostatistics while gaining the skills needed to lead transformative research, policy innovation, and evidence-based practice. Graduates are well-prepared for diverse career paths in research, policy leadership, health systems administration, non-profit and governmental organizations, and high-level public health strategy, with the ability to translate research into meaningful action for communities most impacted by inequities.
If you’re interested in helping people live healthier lives, both population health and public health offer meaningful, fulfilling career paths. The right choice depends on your personal passions, career goals, and the kind of impact you want to make.
| Population Health (Undergraduate) | Public Health (Graduate) | |
| Degree Level | Bachelor of Science in Population Health (BSPH) | Master of Public Health (MPH) PhD in Health Equity Sciences |
| Focus | Specific communities | The public at large |
| Approach | Community-based, equity-driven strategies | Systems-level, policy and intervention work |
| Prepares You For | Entry-level work in health, & human services and research; Graduate school | Leadership roles in government, non-profits, or research institutions |
Whether you're considering your first degree or thinking about graduate school, the UNM College of Population Health is here to guide you. We’re proud to offer programs rooted in social justice, cultural relevance, and real-world applications.
Our students don’t just study communities, they work within them to create real, measurable change.
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