Child, Youth, and Family Health

Children and adolescents experience unique patterns of health, illness and disability that require a set of public  health services and policies that differ from those targeted to adults. In addition, many major public health problems – such as asthma, obesity, mental health problems, and high risk behaviors for sexually transmitted diseases – tend to have their roots in early childhood.

Intervening in these issues is particularly challenging as children are dependent on adults for access to healthcare services. Planning public health services for children therefore requires a holistic understanding of family and community conditions, including privacy, rights, and legal responsibilities.

The Child, Youth, and Family Health Certificate will prepare students to handle these situations and take leadership roles in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs and policies at the local, national, and global level. Graduates will have proficiency in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children from the prenatal period though early infancy, adolescence, and young adulthood, within a multi‐level social context. They will be equipped with skills and frameworks for careers in non-governmental organizations, departments of health and education, and international non-profits.

Admissions Eligibility

Child, Youth, and Family Health is open to Columbia MPH students in:

Environmental Health Sciences
Epidemiology
Health Policy and Management
Population and Family Health
Sociomedical Sciences

Learn More

Visit the School's Academics website for more information about Child, Youth, and Family Health's required courses, certificate electives, and scheduling.