It’s Time to Show the Value of Public Health, Starting with Ourselves

The COVID-19 pandemic pulled back the curtain on public health and for many of us, it wasn’t pretty. We were overworked, underfunded, and pushed to the breaking point. The people who stayed in public health did so out of purpose, not praise. But the truth is: purpose alone isn’t enough to build the future this field needs.

In the May 2025 issue of The Nation’s Health, a timely article by APHA president Deanna Wathington makes the case: public health certification helps make our work visible, credible, and respected. It’s a signal – not just to employers or policymakers, but to each other – that we are part of something bigger than a job description.

If we want to be seen as essential, we have to act like it. That starts with professional standards. It starts with certification.

Public Health Needs Unity, Not Uniformity

Public health is notoriously hard to define. We work in government, academia, nonprofits, healthcare, and communities. We manage programs, pass policy, collect data, and fight for equity. Our strength is our diversity.

But with that diversity comes fragmentation. Without a shared foundation, our work risks being misunderstood, or worse, undervalued.

That’s where certification comes in. The Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential isn’t about gatekeeping. It’s about grounding. It says: I know the science. I know the ethics. I know the foundations and what good public health looks like.

Certification Isn’t Just Smart, It’s Strategic

Let’s be clear. We’re in a rebuilding moment. The workforce has taken a hit. Trust in public institutions is fragile. We need tools that strengthen us from the inside out.

Certification:

• Sets a national standard for public health knowledge.
• Builds credibility across sectors.
• Helps public health professionals speak with one voice.
• Promotes accountability and continuous learning.

This isn’t a luxury. It’s a strategy.

Who Should Get Certified?

If you're a public health student, professional, or educator, there's a good chance you’re eligible.

• Are you in a CEPH-accredited MPH program?
• Have you earned your MPH or another qualifying degree?
• Are you in the public health workforce and want to distinguish yourself?

👉 Check your eligibility

👉 Apply here

Don’t Wait to Be Valued. Show Your Value.

We keep saying we want public health to have a seat at the table. But first, we need to show up as a profession. Getting certified is a step toward that.

Let’s stop waiting for others to recognize our worth. Let’s define it ourselves.