Division of Public Health
Lighting the Way to Better Health
The field of public health seeks to understand the effects and causes of disease, behaviors and environmental factors on populations. It also explores the characteristics of populations on the behavior of diseases. Ultimately, the study of public health aligns with Creighton’s mission of working for the greater good. Our Division of Public Health furthers research, education and innovation in areas such as medical ethics, medical humanities, disparities in cancer care, healthcare management, applied public health, antimicrobial resistance, COVID-19 and global health.
Public Health Research
Studies within the field of public health can impact our local community, larger communities and the world. Current public health research efforts at Creighton include:
- Understanding the impact of the social determinants of health
- Environmental health literacy related to natural disaster preparedness and response including survivor resiliency
- Capturing and using community health needs assessment data to prioritize health issues within vulnerable and marginalized communities
- Healthcare access and food insecurity
- Qualitative, community-based and arts-based methods to explore the lived experiences of historically marginalized populations across the cancer continuum
- Community-based public health interventions that address mental health stigma in Black communities
Creighton supports public health initiative globally and locally, including through Creighton University at Highlander. The goal of Creighton at Highlander is to support the community and serve as a resource for facilitating and implementing community-driven projects and programs.
Academic Public Health Programs
The Division of Public Health also helps to manage the Master of Public Health program, which prepares current and future leaders in public health to expertly practice within rural, urban community, public and private sector locations.
Creighton also recently introduced the Arrupe Global Scholars Program, a scholarship-supported, five-year MD/MPH program. This program, named for Pedro Arrupe, SJ, who was deeply committed to justice and caring for the poor, helps to further the School of Medicine’s mission by preparing students to consciously learn from and compassionately care for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
