Public Health and Wellbeing
Public health and wellbeing is concerned with protecting and improving the health of populations rather than treating individuals. It draws on epidemiology, health policy, sociology, psychology, and environmental science to understand the factors that determine health outcomes across communities, and to design and evaluate interventions that can make those outcomes more equitable and more positive. The field addresses everything from infectious disease control to the social determinants of mental health, from the design of health-promoting environments to the analysis of health inequalities by income, geography, and ethnicity.
The Open University's Public Health and Wellbeing programme is studied part time and delivered through distance learning, which makes it accessible regardless of where you live or what other commitments you hold. The Open University's model is built around flexible, self-directed study supported by online resources, structured materials, and tutor guidance, and it has a long record of enabling students to succeed at degree level while working, caring for families, or living in areas where campus-based study is not practical. You will engage with the core concepts and evidence base of public health, exploring health promotion theory, research methods, policy analysis, and the practical challenges of translating evidence into action.
The curriculum addresses contemporary public health issues including chronic disease, mental health, health inequalities, and the organisation and funding of health services.
Studying by distance learning requires self-discipline and the ability to manage your time independently, but it also means you can study at your own pace and connect your academic work directly to your professional or personal context.
Graduates from public health and wellbeing programmes pursue careers in health promotion, community health development, NHS public health roles, local government, voluntary organisations, research, and health policy. The qualification is also valuable for those already working in health or social care who wish to strengthen their understanding of population health and policy.