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About Us
The Office of Public Health Studies (OPHS) houses the
academic programs of the Department of Public Health
Sciences. Currently the department offers areas of study
in epidemiology, health policy and management, and social
and behavioral health sciences. Degrees offered include
the master of public health (MPH), master of science
(MS) in public health, doctor of public health (DrPH)
and doctor of philosophy (PhD).
The MPH, MS, DrPH, and PhD degree programs are accredited
by the Council on Education for Public Health.
Please see the academics section for detailed information
on degree programs and areas of study.
Vision
We envision a future in which society promotes and
nurtures the health of its people through far-sighted
and responsible policies that preempt avoidable illness
and distress. We see a future in which the natural environment,
our built environment, and our lifestyles are maintained
in ways that consider healthy people a priority. We
see all people living lives of the highest possible
standards of health and wellness, enjoying the emotional
and physical rewards of active, engaged, and rewarding
lives amongst vibrant, connected communities.
Within this future, we see the key role that the Office
of Public Health Studies (OPHS) will play, as a full
and trusted partner of community, as an exemplar in
research and discovery, and as an innovative and responsive
educator and mentor to generations of communities and
countries across Hawai‘i, the Pacific, and Asia.
We see an organization continually changing and innovating,
adapting to the changing needs of populations, the changing
demands of the health professions, and the changing
capabilities of human science and knowledge.
Mission
To advance the health of the peoples of Hawai‘i,
the nation, and the Asia-Pacific region through the
education and training of public health professionals,
innovative research in the public health sciences, and
service to the community.
Values
The Public Health Professionals' International Declaration
of Health Rights*
We as health professionals do hereby commit ourselves
to advocacy and action to promote the health rights
of all human beings.
| • |
The enjoyment of the highest attainable
standard of health is one of the fundamental rights
of every human being. It is not a privilege reserved
for those with power, money or social standing. |
| • |
Health is more than the absence of disease, but
includes prevention of illness, development of individual
potential, a positive sense of physical, mental
and social well being. |
| • |
Health care should be based on dialogue and collaboration
among citizens, professionals, communities and policy
makers. Health services should emphasize equity,
accessibility, community participation, prevention
and sustainability. |
| • |
Health begins with health development of the child
and a positive family environment. Health must be
sustained by the active role of men and women in
health and development. The role of women, and their
rights, must be recognized, respected and promoted. |
| • |
Health care for the elderly should preserve dignity,
respect and concern for quality of life and not
merely extend life. |
| • |
Health requires a sustainable environment with
balanced human population growth and preservation
of cultural diversity. |
| • |
Health depends on more than access to health care.
It depends on healthy living conditions and the
availability to all people of basic essentials:
food, safe water, housing, education, productive
employment, protection from pollution and prevention
of social alienation. |
| • |
Health depends on protection from exploitation
and discrimination on account of race, religion,
political belief, ethnic group, national origin,
gender, sexual preference or economic or social
status. |
| • |
Health requires peaceful and equitable development
and collaboration of all peoples |
*Developed by the Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Goals
Education Goals
| • |
To recruit quality
students into our degree programs. |
| • |
To offer required and electives
courses and field experiences that facilitate student
mastery of public health competencies. |
| • |
To assure graduates master
the core competencies for their degree. |
Research Goals
| • |
To discover and create new knowledge,
evaluate health service needs, and apply research. |
| • |
To disseminate research findings through publications
and participation in local, national and international
professional societies. |
| • |
To involve students in research and evaluation
projects. |
Service Goals
| • |
To enhance continuing education and
training of Department of Health personnel and other
health professionals. |
| • |
To provide consultative and direct services to
community, state, federal, and international organizations
in support of the program’s mission. |
Program-wide Goals
| • |
To ensure academic excellence by systematically
evaluating the program and considering findings
in program development. |
| • |
To ensure academic excellence by garnering adequate
resources for delivery of a quality public health
program. |
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