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Top 100 Public Health Project Topics [Revised]

• Post author By admin
• May 15, 2024

Public health is all about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life. It’s not just about treating diseases but preventing them and promoting well-being across communities. Public health projects are really important because they help make people healthier. They look at different parts of health and come up with ways to make sure everyone stays well. In this blog, we’ll delve into some fascinating public health project topics that are making a real difference in communities around the world.

Table of Contents

What Is An Example Of Public Health Research?

An example of public health research could be a study investigating the effectiveness of a community-based intervention program aimed at reducing childhood obesity rates through dietary education and increased physical activity. This research would involve collecting data on participants’ eating habits, physical activity levels, and weight changes over time to assess the program’s impact on improving overall health outcomes within the community.

What Are The Biggest Public Health Issues?

The biggest public health issues can vary depending on factors like geographic location, socioeconomic status, and cultural influences. However, some global public health issues that consistently rank among the most significant include:

• Infectious Diseases: Sicknesses like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, as well as new diseases, are big problems for everyone’s health.
• Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs): Health issues like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are causing many deaths worldwide and are hard on healthcare systems.
• Mental Health: Feeling sad, worried, or using drugs affects a lot of people around the world. Sometimes, people have a hard time getting help because they’re embarrassed or can’t find it.
• Access to Healthcare: Some people have a tough time getting medical help when they need it, especially in places where there isn’t much money or where certain groups of people are left out.
• Environmental Health: Pollution, climate change, and not having clean water or good bathrooms make people sick with breathing problems, diseases, and not getting enough to eat.
• Maternal and Child Health: Pregnancy-related complications, neonatal disorders, and preventable childhood diseases continue to affect maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings.

100 Public Health Project Topics: Category Wise

Epidemiology and disease control.

• Surveillance and control of infectious diseases in urban areas.
• Outbreak investigation of foodborne illnesses.
• Mapping the spread of vector-borne diseases like Zika virus.
• Infectious Diseases: Checking how well vaccination programs help lower how many people get sick.
• Antibiotic Resistance: Studying why some germs become stronger against medicine in places like hospitals.
• Health Disparities: Looking at why some groups of people get sicker than others and what causes it.
• Disease Outbreaks: Seeing if tracing who sick people were in contact with helps stop diseases from spreading.
• Aging and Diseases: Understanding why older people get certain illnesses more often.
• Wildlife Diseases: Keeping an eye on new sicknesses that animals might pass on to people.
• Social Distancing: Checking if staying far apart helps stop diseases from spreading during big outbreaks.
• Assessing the effectiveness of contactless health screening methods in preventing infectious disease spread.
• Analyzing the prevalence and risk factors of vaccine hesitancy in diverse communities.
• Studying the role of animal reservoirs in the transmission of zoonotic diseases to humans.
• Implementing targeted interventions to reduce healthcare-associated infections in hospitals.

Health Promotion and Education

• Developing a community-based smoking cessation program.
• Promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles among adolescents.
• Educating pregnant women about the importance of prenatal care.
• Implementing nutrition education programs in schools.
• Designing workplace wellness initiatives to reduce stress.
• Creating mental health awareness campaigns for college students.
• Promoting safe driving habits and preventing accidents.
• Educating communities about the dangers of substance abuse.
• Implementing HIV/AIDS prevention programs in high-risk populations.
• Training community health workers to deliver health education in rural areas.
• Developing culturally tailored nutrition education programs for immigrant and refugee communities.
• Promoting mental health literacy and self-care practices among college students.
• Implementing peer-led sexual health education programs for adolescents.
• Designing multimedia campaigns to promote healthy behaviors during public health emergencies.
• Evaluating the impact of social media influencers on health-related attitudes and behaviors among youth.

Environmental Health

• Assessing air quality and its impact on respiratory health in urban neighborhoods.
• Implementing water purification systems in rural communities.
• Investigating the health effects of exposure to indoor air pollution.
• Monitoring and controlling lead exposure in drinking water.
• Promoting waste reduction and recycling programs in urban areas.
• Evaluating the health impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.
• Implementing food safety regulations in local restaurants.
• Assessing the health risks of pesticide exposure in agricultural communities.
• Promoting sustainable transportation options to reduce air pollution.
• Investigating the health effects of noise pollution in urban environments.

Maternal and Child Health

• Implementing breastfeeding support programs in hospitals and communities.
• Improving access to prenatal care for underserved populations.
• Assessing the impact of early childhood education programs on health outcomes.
• Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
• Implementing childhood immunization campaigns in rural areas.
• Promoting safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Investigating disparities in access to pediatric healthcare services.
• Addressing adolescent reproductive health issues through comprehensive education programs.
• Developing interventions to reduce infant mortality rates in developing countries.
• Promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity in schools to prevent childhood obesity.

Mental Health

• Setting up tests for mental health in doctors’ offices.
• Helping people with mental illness move from jail back to regular life.
• Spreading the word about mental health and making it okay to talk about at work.
• Starting programs to stop people from hurting themselves in schools and neighborhoods.
• Giving advice and help to people who have been through tough times.
• Addressing mental health needs among veterans and active-duty military personnel.
• Promoting resilience and coping skills in adolescents.
• Providing culturally sensitive mental health services for immigrant and refugee populations.
• Implementing peer support programs for individuals living with mental illness.
• Integrating mental health services into primary care settings to improve access and reduce disparities.

Occupational Health

• Assessing workplace hazards and implementing safety protocols.
• Promoting ergonomic workplace design to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
• Investigating the health effects of shift work and irregular schedules.
• Implementing workplace wellness programs to reduce stress and promote healthy lifestyles.
• Addressing occupational health disparities among migrant workers.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of workplace smoking cessation programs.
• Promoting mental health awareness and resilience in high-stress occupations.
• Assessing the impact of technology on workplace health and safety.
• Investigating the health effects of exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
• Implementing workplace violence prevention programs in healthcare settings.

Healthcare Access and Equity

• Assessing barriers to healthcare access among underserved populations.
• Implementing telehealth services to improve access to care in rural areas.
• Promoting culturally competent care for diverse patient populations.
• Addressing healthcare disparities among racial and ethnic minorities.
• Evaluating the impact of health insurance coverage expansion on healthcare access.
• Implementing community health worker programs to improve access to care.
• Assessing the impact of transportation barriers on healthcare access.
• Promoting language access services for individuals with limited English proficiency.
• Addressing healthcare disparities among LGBTQ+ populations.
• Implementing mobile healthcare clinics to reach underserved communities.

Global Health

• Implementing vaccination campaigns to eradicate polio in endemic countries.
• Helping people in poor countries get enough food and avoid hunger.
• Making sure everyone has clean water and bathrooms in areas that don’t have them.
• Doing things to stop malaria in places where it’s common.
• Giving support to communities hit by big problems like floods or wars.
• Dealing with sicknesses that aren’t talked about much but affect a lot of people.
• Making sure moms and kids in places with few resources get good healthcare.
• Doing things to stop HIV and help people who have it in countries in Africa below the Sahara Desert.
• Addressing the global tobacco epidemic through tobacco control policies.
• Promoting access to essential medicines and vaccines in low-income countries.

Emerging Health Issues

• Developing pandemic preparedness plans for novel infectious diseases.
• Assessing the health impacts of climate change and implementing adaptation strategies.
• Investigating the health effects of emerging technologies, such as e-cigarettes.
• Addressing the opioid epidemic through prevention and treatment initiatives.
• Promoting antimicrobial stewardship to combat antibiotic resistance.
• Addressing the health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in aging populations.
• Investigating the health effects of screen time and digital media use.
• Promoting sleep health and addressing sleep disorders.
• Implementing interventions to address the health impacts of wildfire smoke exposure.
• Addressing the health impacts of emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.

Public health projects cover a wide range of topics, all aimed at improving health outcomes and promoting well-being in communities.

From epidemiology to environmental health to mental health, these public health project topics are making a real difference in the lives of people around the world.

By addressing the root causes of health problems and implementing evidence-based interventions, public health practitioners are helping to create healthier, happier communities for everyone.

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Recent Posts

165+ Public Health Project Topics [Updated]

In our modern world, the concept of public health has become increasingly vital. It encompasses a wide range of efforts aimed at promoting and protecting the health of entire populations. From combating infectious diseases to addressing chronic health conditions, public health project topics play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of communities around the globe. 

In this blog post, we’ll delve into various public health project topics, exploring how they contribute to healthier, happier societies.

Characteristics of Excellent Public Health Project Topics

Table of Contents

• Relevance: The topic addresses a pressing public health issue that is significant in the given context or population.
• Impact: The project has the potential to make a meaningful difference in improving health outcomes or addressing health disparities.
• Feasibility: It is realistic and achievable within the resources and constraints available, considering time, funding, and expertise.
• Innovation: The topic offers a fresh perspective or introduces novel approaches to addressing the public health problem.
• Interdisciplinarity: It draws from multiple fields of study or disciplines, reflecting the complex nature of public health challenges.
• Community Engagement: The project involves collaboration with community stakeholders and considers local perspectives and needs.
• Evidence-based: It is grounded in scientific evidence and informed by relevant research findings and best practices.
• Sustainability: The project has the potential for long-term impact and sustainability beyond the initial intervention or study period.
• Measurability: Clear objectives and outcomes are defined, allowing for effective evaluation and measurement of project success.
• Ethical Considerations: The topic considers ethical principles and safeguards the rights and well-being of participants and affected communities.

165+ Public Health Project Topics: Category Wise

Epidemiology and disease control.

• The Effects of Vaccination Campaigns on Disease Incidence.
• Strategies for Mitigating Infectious Disease Spread in Urban Environments.
• Investigating Outbreaks of Foodborne Illnesses: Epidemiological Approaches.
• Contact Tracing: A Crucial Component in Disease Control.
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Quarantine Measures in Pandemic Response.
• Addressing the Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance.
• Modeling Disease Transmission Dynamics to Inform Intervention Strategies.
• Enhancing Surveillance Systems for Early Detection of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
• Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Strains: Strategies and Interventions.
• Climate Change Impacts on the Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Diseases.

Health Promotion and Education

• Evaluation of School-Based Health Education Programs.
• Community-Based Initiatives for Promoting Physical Activity.
• Effective Strategies for Smoking Cessation and Public Health.
• Nutritional Education Interventions for Healthier Diets.
• Mental Health Awareness Programs in Educational Settings.
• Substance Abuse Prevention Strategies for Adolescents.
• Harnessing Social Media for Health Promotion Campaigns.
• Culturally Responsive Health Education Approaches.
• Peer-Led Interventions for Adolescent Sexual Health Promotion.
• Overcoming Stigma in HIV/AIDS Awareness Efforts.

Environmental Health

• Monitoring Air Quality and Its Impact on Respiratory Health.
• Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programs in Rural Communities.
• Understanding the Health Impacts of Environmental Pollutants.
• Urban Planning Strategies for Active Transportation Promotion.
• Assessing Health Impacts of Climate Change Adaptation Measures.
• Waste Management Practices and Public Health Implications.
• Green Spaces and Mental Health Promotion.
• Indoor Air Pollution and Household Health Risks.
• Industrial Pollution Control Measures and Public Health.
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices and Health Outcomes.

Maternal and Child Health

• Maternal Nutrition and Its Influence on Birth Outcomes.
• Early Childhood Development Programs: Long-Term Health Impacts.
• Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS.
• Enhancing Access to Prenatal Care in Underserved Communities.
• Breastfeeding Promotion for Infant Health.
• Strategies for Teenage Pregnancy Prevention.
• Pediatric Healthcare Access in Rural Areas.
• Addressing Disparities in Maternal and Child Health.
• Parental Education and Childhood Immunization Rates.
• Neonatal Intensive Care and Its Role in Reducing Infant Mortality.

Mental Health and Well-being

• Prevalence Studies of Depression and Anxiety.
• Destigmatizing Mental Illness: Community Strategies.
• Mental Health Needs of Refugee Populations: Assessment and Interventions.
• Workplace Mental Health Promotion Initiatives.
• Suicide Prevention Programs: Targeting At-Risk Populations.
• Community Support Groups for Mental Health.
• Art and Music Therapy in Mental Health Treatment.
• Integrating Mental Health Services into Primary Care.
• Social Isolation and Mental Health in Older Adults.
• Cultural Competence in Mental Health Care Delivery.

Chronic Disease Prevention and Management

• Lifestyle Interventions for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.
• Smoking Cessation Support for Chronic Respiratory Conditions.
• Community-Based Diabetes Prevention Programs.
• Hypertension Screening and Management Strategies.
• Early Detection Initiatives in Cancer Screening.
• Integrating Mental Health into Chronic Disease Management.
• Access to Cancer Treatment Services: Addressing Disparities.
• Palliative Care Services for Chronic Disease Patients.
• Telemedicine Solutions for Chronic Disease Management.
• Community-Based Chronic Pain Management Programs.

Healthcare Access and Equity

• Overcoming Barriers to Healthcare Access in Underserved Populations.
• Innovations in Rural Healthcare Access.
• Community Health Worker Programs: Expanding Access.
• Culturally Sensitive Healthcare Delivery Models.
• Health Insurance Coverage and Healthcare Utilization.
• Mobile Health Clinics: Bringing Care to the Underserved.
• Enhancing Access to Reproductive Healthcare.
• Reducing Healthcare Disparities Among Minority Populations.
• Socioeconomic Status and Its Impact on Health Access.
• Transportation Solutions for Urban Healthcare Access.

Disaster Preparedness and Response

• Preparedness Planning for Natural Disasters.
• Public Health Agencies’ Roles in Disaster Preparedness.
• Assessing Healthcare System Resilience in Emergencies.
• Community-Led Disaster Response Initiatives.
• Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Preparedness.
• Psychological First Aid in Disaster Situations.
• Lessons Learned from Pandemic Responses.
• Public Health Considerations in Mass Casualty Incidents.
• Social Media’s Role in Disaster Response.
• Capacity Building for Community Preparedness.

Emerging Public Health Issues

• Global Health Threats: Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.
• Addressing Health Disparities During Pandemics.
• Climate Change Impacts on Public Health.
• Emerging Trends in Substance Abuse Prevention.
• Globalization’s Health Challenges.
• Technology’s Role in Public Health Innovation.
• Combating Misinformation in Health Promotion.
• Artificial Intelligence in Disease Surveillance.
• Social Media’s Mental Health Impacts.
• Public Health Responses to Social Isolation Challenges.

Research and Evaluation

• Assessing Intervention Effectiveness in Public Health.
• Mixed-Methods Approaches in Public Health Research.
• Community-Based Participatory Research in Health Disparities.
• Policy Interventions’ Impact on Population Health.
• Health Economics in Public Health Decision-Making.
• Ethics in Research with Vulnerable Populations.
• Visualizing Health Data for Public Understanding.
• Public-Private Partnerships in Health Research.
• Addressing Bias in Epidemiological Studies.
• Translating Research into Policy and Practice.

Global Health

• Enhancing Disease Surveillance Systems in Low-Resource Settings.
• Addressing Health Inequities in Indigenous Communities.
• Strengthening Health Systems in Post-Conflict Zones.
• Water and Sanitation Initiatives in Humanitarian Emergencies.
• The Role of International NGOs in Global Health Initiatives.
• Tackling the Dual Burden of Infectious and Non-Communicable Diseases in Developing Countries.
• Refugee Health: Challenges and Opportunities for Intervention.
• Financing Strategies for Sustainable Global Health Programs.
• Diplomacy in Addressing Cross-Border Health Threats.
• Community-Led Capacity Building in Global Health Partnerships.

Health Policy and Systems

• The Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Public Health Outcomes.
• Legal Approaches to Reducing Obesity Rates in Children.
• Health Policy Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Health Rights.
• Implementing Universal Healthcare Coverage: Lessons from Different Countries.
• Addressing Healthcare Workforce Shortages in Aging Populations.
• Leveraging Technology for Improving Healthcare Delivery Systems.
• Patient-Centered Care Models: Implementation Challenges and Best Practices.
• Political Determinants of Health Policy Decision-Making.
• Regulatory Frameworks for Addressing Emerging Health Threats.
• Health Diplomacy in International Relations: Strategies and Outcomes.

Occupational Health and Safety

• Ergonomic Interventions for Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace.
• The Role of Occupational Health Surveillance in Identifying Workplace Hazards.
• Psychosocial Factors in Occupational Health: Implications for Well-being.
• Occupational Health Regulations: Balancing Worker Protection and Industry Needs.
• Workplace Health Promotion: Strategies for Mental Health Support.
• Occupational Health Disparities Among Minority Groups: Addressing the Gap.
• Technological Advances in Workplace Safety: Impact and Challenges.
• Work-Related Stress Management: Organizational Strategies for Prevention.
• Healthcare Worker Safety: Preventing Occupational Hazards in Clinical Settings.
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Workplace Health and Safety Committees.

Social Determinants of Health

• Affordable Housing Initiatives and Their Impact on Community Health.
• Income Inequality and Health Disparities: Exploring Causal Pathways.
• Community-Based Approaches to Addressing Food Insecurity.
• Education and Health Outcomes: Examining the Relationship.
• Transportation Equity and Its Influence on Healthcare Access.
• Neighborhood Socioeconomic Characteristics and Health Disparities.
• Racial Discrimination and Its Effects on Health Equity.
• Loneliness and Social Isolation: Implications for Physical and Mental Health.
• Strengthening Social Support Networks for Vulnerable Populations.
• Policy Solutions for Reducing Social Determinants of Health Disparities.

Injury Prevention and Control

• Innovative Approaches to Reducing Motor Vehicle-Related Injuries.
• Fall Prevention Strategies for Aging Populations.
• Violence Prevention Programs: Evaluation of Community-Based Initiatives.
• Workplace Safety Culture: Strategies for Sustainable Improvement.
• Youth Sports Injury Prevention: Promoting Safe Participation.
• Gun Violence Prevention: Public Health Approaches to Addressing the Epidemic.
• Urban Planning for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety.
• Enhancing Injury Surveillance Systems for Timely Intervention.
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention: Effective Policies and Programs.
• Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Promoting Long-Term Recovery.

Nutrition and Food Safety

• The Mediterranean Diet and Its Health Benefits: Evidence and Implementation.
• School-Based Nutrition Programs: Evaluating Impact on Health Outcomes.
• Nutrition Labeling Policies: Informing Consumer Choice.
• Community Gardens and Urban Agriculture: Promoting Access to Fresh Produce.
• Addressing Food Insecurity Among College Students: Campus Interventions.
• Prevention Strategies for Childhood Obesity: Multisectoral Approaches.
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the Food Supply: Safety Considerations.
• Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigations: Lessons Learned and Best Practices.
• Agricultural Subsidies and Their Impact on Public Health.
• Sustainable Food Production Practices: Environmental and Health Implications.

Health Informatics and Technology

• Electronic Health Records: Improving Continuity of Care and Health Outcomes.
• Telehealth Services: Access and Utilization in Rural and Underserved Areas.
• Health Information Exchange: Facilitating Coordinated Care.
• Mobile Health Applications for Chronic Disease Management: User Perspectives.
• Wearable Health Devices: Monitoring and Promoting Health Behavior Change.
• Big Data Analytics in Public Health: Leveraging Data for Population Health.
• Social Media Surveillance for Disease Outbreak Detection.
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Applications and Ethical Considerations.
• Blockchain Technology in Healthcare : Ensuring Data Security and Integrity.
• Ethical Use of Health Data: Privacy and Confidentiality Issues.

Health Communication and Media

• Culturally Tailored Health Messaging: Engaging Diverse Communities.
• Health Literacy Interventions: Improving Understanding of Health Information.
• Social Marketing Campaigns for Behavior Change: Successes and Challenges.
• Multilingual Health Communication Strategies: Reaching Linguistically Diverse Populations.
• Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy: Effective Communication Strategies.
• Celebrity Endorsements in Health Promotion: Impact on Public Perceptions.
• Media Advocacy for Public Health Policy Change: Strategies and Outcomes.
• Entertainment-Education in Health Communication: Lessons Learned.
• Public Perceptions of Health Risks: Implications for Risk Communication.
• Journalism Ethics in Health Reporting: Accuracy and Sensitivity.

In conclusion, public health projects cover a wide range of topics and initiatives aimed at promoting and protecting the health of populations.

From disease control and health promotion to environmental health and disaster preparedness, these public health project topics play a crucial role in creating healthier, happier communities.

By addressing the diverse needs and challenges of populations around the world, public health projects contribute to a brighter, healthier future for all.

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Research Topics & Ideas: Public Health

50 Topic Ideas To Kickstart Your Research Project

If you’re just starting out exploring public health and/or epidemiology-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research by providing a hearty list of research ideas , including examples from recent studies in public health and epidemiology.

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . These topic ideas provided here are intentionally broad and generic , so keep in mind that you will need to develop them further. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

To develop a suitable research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan to fill that gap. If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Public Health-Related Research Topics

• Evaluating the impact of community-based obesity prevention programs in urban areas.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of public smoking bans on respiratory health outcomes.
• Investigating the role of health education in reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The impact of air pollution on asthma rates in industrial cities.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of school nutrition programs on childhood obesity rates.
• The role of public health policies in addressing mental health stigma.
• Analyzing the impact of clean water access on infectious disease rates in rural communities.
• The effectiveness of needle exchange programs in reducing the spread of hepatitis C.
• Investigating the impact of social determinants on maternal and child health in low-income neighborhoods.
• The role of digital health interventions in managing chronic diseases.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of workplace wellness programs on employee health and productivity.
• The impact of urban green spaces on community mental health.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns in preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases.
• The role of public health initiatives in reducing alcohol-related harm.
• Analyzing the impact of aging populations on healthcare systems.
• Analyzing the impact of urbanization on mental health disorders in metropolitan areas.
• The effectiveness of telemedicine services in improving healthcare access in remote regions.
• Investigating the health impacts of electronic waste recycling practices.
• The role of health literacy in managing non-communicable diseases in aging populations.
• Evaluating the public health response to opioid addiction in rural communities.
• Analyzing the relationship between housing quality and respiratory illnesses.
• The effectiveness of community engagement in improving reproductive health services.
• Investigating the health effects of long-term exposure to low-level environmental radiation.
• The role of public health campaigns in reducing the prevalence of tobacco use among teenagers.
• Analyzing the impact of food deserts on nutritional outcomes in urban communities.

Epidemiology Research Ideas (Continued)

• Investigating the epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant infections in hospital settings.
• The impact of climate change on the spread of vector-borne diseases.
• Evaluating the factors contributing to the rise in type 2 diabetes prevalence.
• Analyzing the epidemiology of mental health disorders in conflict zones.
• The role of epidemiological surveillance in pandemic preparedness and response.
• Investigating the link between environmental exposures and the incidence of childhood cancers.
• The impact of dietary patterns on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of intervention strategies in controlling obesity epidemics.
• Analyzing the spread and control of zoonotic diseases in rural communities.
• The role of genetic factors in the epidemiology of autoimmune diseases.
• Investigating the socio-economic disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes.
• The impact of urbanization on the epidemiology of infectious diseases.
• Evaluating the public health consequences of occupational exposures to hazardous substances.
• Analyzing the trends and determinants of mental health disorders among adolescents.
• The role of lifestyle factors in the epidemiology of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Investigating the patterns of mental health service utilization during economic recessions.
• The epidemiology of sports-related concussions in youth athletics.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of public health interventions in reducing the spread of tuberculosis in high-risk populations.
• Analyzing the geographic distribution of Lyme disease in relation to climate change.
• The role of international travel in the spread of emerging infectious diseases.
• Investigating the demographic predictors of chronic kidney disease in population-based studies.
• The epidemiological impact of air pollution on asthma and other respiratory conditions.
• Evaluating the long-term health effects of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
• Analyzing the incidence and risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders.
• The role of socioeconomic status in the prevalence and management of diabetes.

Recent Studies: Public Health & Epidemiology

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual studies in the public health and epidemiology space to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of recent studies to help refine your thinking. These are actual studies,  so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Tutorials in population neuroimaging: Using epidemiology in neuroimaging research (Godina et al., 2022)
• Application of Big Data in Digital Epidemiology (Naaz & Siddiqui, 2022)
• Response to comment on: Incidence of ocular and systemic disease affecting visual function among state bus drivers (Kohli et al., 2022)
• Why epidemiology is incomplete without qualitative and mixed methods (Lane-Fall, 2023)
• Teaching epidemiology: An overview of strategies and considerations (Hossain, 2022)
• Social Epidemiology: Past, Present, and Future (Roux, 2022)
• Population health assessment project: An innovative strategy for teaching principles of epidemiology (Keen et al., 2022)
• The functions of veterinary epidemiology in public health (Shaffi, 2023)
• Readying the Applied Epidemiology Workforce for Emerging Areas of
• Public Health Practice (Daly et al., 2022)
• Some Social Epidemiologic Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic (Schnake-Mahl & Bilal, 2023)
• The Filth Disease: Typhoid Fever and the Practices of Epidemiology in Victorian England by Jacob Steere-Williams (review) (Steere-Williams et al., 2022)
• Epidemiology of Adult Obesity, Measurements, Global Prevalence and Risk Factors (Orukwowu, 2022).
• Which disciplines form digital public health, and how do they relate to each other? (Pan, 2022)
• Information Flow and Data Gaps in COVID-19 Recording and Reporting at National and Provincial Levels in Indonesia (Barsasella et al., 2022). Epidemiology Blog of Neal D. Goldstein, PhD, MBI (Goldstein, 2023)
• Sensitivity analysis of SEIR epidemic model of Covid 19 spread in Indonesia (Rangkuti et al., 2022)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest.  In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

Get 1-On-1 Help

If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

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77 interesting medical research topics for 2024

Last updated

25 November 2023

Reviewed by

Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L

Short on time? Get an AI generated summary of this article instead

Medical research is the gateway to improved patient care and expanding our available treatment options. However, finding a relevant and compelling research topic can be challenging.

Use this article as a jumping-off point to select an interesting medical research topic for your next paper or clinical study.

• How to choose a medical research topic

When choosing a research topic , it’s essential to consider a couple of things. What topics interest you? What unanswered questions do you want to address? 

During the decision-making and brainstorming process, here are a few helpful tips to help you pick the right medical research topic:

Focus on a particular field of study

The best medical research is specific to a particular area. Generalized studies are often too broad to produce meaningful results, so we advise picking a specific niche early in the process. 

Maybe a certain topic interests you, or your industry knowledge reveals areas of need.

Look into commonly researched topics

Once you’ve chosen your research field, do some preliminary research. What have other academics done in their papers and projects? 

From this list, you can focus on specific topics that interest you without accidentally creating a copycat project. This groundwork will also help you uncover any literature gaps—those may be beneficial areas for research.

Get curious and ask questions

Now you can get curious. Ask questions that start with why, how, or what. These questions are the starting point of your project design and will act as your guiding light throughout the process. 

For example: 

What impact does pollution have on children’s lung function in inner-city neighborhoods? 

Why is pollution-based asthma on the rise? 

How can we address pollution-induced asthma in young children? 

• 77 medical research topics worth exploring in 2023

Need some research inspiration for your upcoming paper or clinical study? We’ve compiled a list of 77 topical and in-demand medical research ideas. Let’s take a look. 

• Exciting new medical research topics

If you want to study cutting-edge topics, here are some exciting options:

COVID-19 and long COVID symptoms

Since 2020, COVID-19 has been a hot-button topic in medicine, along with the long-term symptoms in those with a history of COVID-19. 

Examples of COVID-19-related research topics worth exploring include:

The long-term impact of COVID-19 on cardiac and respiratory health

COVID-19 vaccination rates

The evolution of COVID-19 symptoms over time

New variants and strains of the COVID-19 virus

Changes in social behavior and public health regulations amid COVID-19

Vaccinations

Finding ways to cure or reduce the disease burden of chronic infectious diseases is a crucial research area. Vaccination is a powerful option and a great topic to research. 

Examples of vaccination-related research topics include:

mRNA vaccines for viral infections

Biomaterial vaccination capabilities

Vaccination rates based on location, ethnicity, or age

Public opinion about vaccination safety 

Artificial tissues fabrication

With the need for donor organs increasing, finding ways to fabricate artificial bioactive tissues (and possibly organs) is a popular research area. 

Examples of artificial tissue-related research topics you can study include:

The viability of artificially printed tissues

Tissue substrate and building block material studies

The ethics and efficacy of artificial tissue creation

• Medical research topics for medical students

For many medical students, research is a big driver for entering healthcare. If you’re a medical student looking for a research topic, here are some great ideas to work from:

Sleep disorders

Poor sleep quality is a growing problem, and it can significantly impact a person’s overall health. 

Examples of sleep disorder-related research topics include:

How stress affects sleep quality

The prevalence and impact of insomnia on patients with mental health conditions

Possible triggers for sleep disorder development

The impact of poor sleep quality on psychological and physical health

How melatonin supplements impact sleep quality

Alzheimer’s and dementia 

Cognitive conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are on the rise worldwide. They currently have no cure. As a result, research about these topics is in high demand. 

Examples of dementia-related research topics you could explore include:

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in a chosen population

Early onset symptoms of dementia

Possible triggers or causes of cognitive decline with age

Treatment options for dementia-like conditions

The mental and physical burden of caregiving for patients with dementia

• Lifestyle habits and public health

Modern lifestyles have profoundly impacted the average person’s daily habits, and plenty of interesting topics explore its effects. 

Examples of lifestyle and public health-related research topics include:

The nutritional intake of college students

The impact of chronic work stress on overall health

The rise of upper back and neck pain from laptop use

Prevalence and cause of repetitive strain injuries (RSI)

• Controversial medical research paper topics

Medical research is a hotbed of controversial topics, content, and areas of study. 

If you want to explore a more niche (and attention-grabbing) concept, here are some controversial medical research topics worth looking into:

The benefits and risks of medical cannabis

Depending on where you live, the legalization and use of cannabis for medical conditions is controversial for the general public and healthcare providers.

Examples of medical cannabis-related research topics that might grab your attention include:

The legalization process of medical cannabis

The impact of cannabis use on developmental milestones in youth users

Cannabis and mental health diagnoses

CBD’s impact on chronic pain

Prevalence of cannabis use in young people

The impact of maternal cannabis use on fetal development 

Understanding how THC impacts cognitive function

Human genetics

The Human Genome Project identified, mapped, and sequenced all human DNA genes. Its completion in 2003 opened up a world of exciting and controversial studies in human genetics.

Examples of human genetics-related research topics worth delving into include:

Medical genetics and the incidence of genetic-based health disorders

Behavioral genetics differences between identical twins

Genetic risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders

Machine learning technologies for genetic research

Sexual health studies

Human sexuality and sexual health are important (yet often stigmatized) medical topics that need new research and analysis.

As a diverse field ranging from sexual orientation studies to sexual pathophysiology, examples of sexual health-related research topics include:

The incidence of sexually transmitted infections within a chosen population

Mental health conditions within the LGBTQIA+ community

The impact of untreated sexually transmitted infections

Access to safe sex resources (condoms, dental dams, etc.) in rural areas

• Health and wellness research topics

Human wellness and health are trendy topics in modern medicine as more people are interested in finding natural ways to live healthier lifestyles. 

If this field of study interests you, here are some big topics in the wellness space:

Gluten sensitivity

Gluten allergies and intolerances have risen over the past few decades. If you’re interested in exploring this topic, your options range in severity from mild gastrointestinal symptoms to full-blown anaphylaxis. 

Some examples of gluten sensitivity-related research topics include:

The pathophysiology and incidence of Celiac disease

Early onset symptoms of gluten intolerance

The prevalence of gluten allergies within a set population

Gluten allergies and the incidence of other gastrointestinal health conditions

Pollution and lung health

Living in large urban cities means regular exposure to high levels of pollutants. 

As more people become interested in protecting their lung health, examples of impactful lung health and pollution-related research topics include:

The extent of pollution in densely packed urban areas

The prevalence of pollution-based asthma in a set population

Lung capacity and function in young people

The benefits and risks of steroid therapy for asthma

Pollution risks based on geographical location

Plant-based diets

Plant-based diets like vegan and paleo diets are emerging trends in healthcare due to their limited supporting research. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the potential benefits or risks of holistic, diet-based medicine, examples of plant-based diet research topics to explore include:

Vegan and plant-based diets as part of disease management

Potential risks and benefits of specific plant-based diets

Plant-based diets and their impact on body mass index

The effect of diet and lifestyle on chronic disease management

Health supplements

Supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry. Many health-conscious people take supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbal medicine, and more. 

Examples of health supplement-related research topics worth investigating include:

Omega-3 fish oil safety and efficacy for cardiac patients

The benefits and risks of regular vitamin D supplementation

Health supplementation regulation and product quality

The impact of social influencer marketing on consumer supplement practices

Analyzing added ingredients in protein powders

• Healthcare research topics

Working within the healthcare industry means you have insider knowledge and opportunity. Maybe you’d like to research the overall system, administration, and inherent biases that disrupt access to quality care. 

While these topics are essential to explore, it is important to note that these studies usually require approval and oversight from an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This ensures the study is ethical and does not harm any subjects. 

For this reason, the IRB sets protocols that require additional planning, so consider this when mapping out your study’s timeline. 

Here are some examples of trending healthcare research areas worth pursuing:

The pros and cons of electronic health records

The rise of electronic healthcare charting and records has forever changed how medical professionals and patients interact with their health data. 

Examples of electronic health record-related research topics include:

The number of medication errors reported during a software switch

Nurse sentiment analysis of electronic charting practices

Ethical and legal studies into encrypting and storing personal health data

Inequities within healthcare access

Many barriers inhibit people from accessing the quality medical care they need. These issues result in health disparities and injustices. 

Examples of research topics about health inequities include:

The impact of social determinants of health in a set population

Early and late-stage cancer stage diagnosis in urban vs. rural populations

Affordability of life-saving medications

Health insurance limitations and their impact on overall health

Diagnostic and treatment rates across ethnicities

People who belong to an ethnic minority are more likely to experience barriers and restrictions when trying to receive quality medical care. This is due to systemic healthcare racism and bias. 

As a result, diagnostic and treatment rates in minority populations are a hot-button field of research. Examples of ethnicity-based research topics include:

Cancer biopsy rates in BIPOC women

The prevalence of diabetes in Indigenous communities

Access inequalities in women’s health preventative screenings

The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in Black populations

• Pharmaceutical research topics

Large pharmaceutical companies are incredibly interested in investing in research to learn more about potential cures and treatments for diseases. 

If you’re interested in building a career in pharmaceutical research, here are a few examples of in-demand research topics:

Cancer treatment options

Clinical research is in high demand as pharmaceutical companies explore novel cancer treatment options outside of chemotherapy and radiation. 

Examples of cancer treatment-related research topics include:

Stem cell therapy for cancer

Oncogenic gene dysregulation and its impact on disease

Cancer-causing viral agents and their risks

Treatment efficacy based on early vs. late-stage cancer diagnosis

Cancer vaccines and targeted therapies

Immunotherapy for cancer

Pain medication alternatives

Historically, opioid medications were the primary treatment for short- and long-term pain. But, with the opioid epidemic getting worse, the need for alternative pain medications has never been more urgent. 

Examples of pain medication-related research topics include:

Opioid withdrawal symptoms and risks

Early signs of pain medication misuse

Anti-inflammatory medications for pain control

• Identify trends in your medical research with Dovetail

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Research is indispensable for resolving public health challenges – whether it be tackling diseases of poverty, responding to rise of chronic diseases,  or ensuring that mothers have access to safe delivery practices.

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Qualitative Methods in Health Care Research

Vishnu renjith.

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland - Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain), Al Sayh Muharraq Governorate, Bahrain

Renjulal Yesodharan

1 Department of Mental Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Judith A. Noronha

2 Department of OBG Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Elissa Ladd

3 School of Nursing, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, USA

Anice George

4 Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Healthcare research is a systematic inquiry intended to generate robust evidence about important issues in the fields of medicine and healthcare. Qualitative research has ample possibilities within the arena of healthcare research. This article aims to inform healthcare professionals regarding qualitative research, its significance, and applicability in the field of healthcare. A wide variety of phenomena that cannot be explained using the quantitative approach can be explored and conveyed using a qualitative method. The major types of qualitative research designs are narrative research, phenomenological research, grounded theory research, ethnographic research, historical research, and case study research. The greatest strength of the qualitative research approach lies in the richness and depth of the healthcare exploration and description it makes. In health research, these methods are considered as the most humanistic and person-centered way of discovering and uncovering thoughts and actions of human beings.

Introduction

Healthcare research is a systematic inquiry intended to generate trustworthy evidence about issues in the field of medicine and healthcare. The three principal approaches to health research are the quantitative, the qualitative, and the mixed methods approach. The quantitative research method uses data, which are measures of values and counts and are often described using statistical methods which in turn aids the researcher to draw inferences. Qualitative research incorporates the recording, interpreting, and analyzing of non-numeric data with an attempt to uncover the deeper meanings of human experiences and behaviors. Mixed methods research, the third methodological approach, involves collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative information with an objective to solve different but related questions, or at times the same questions.[ 1 , 2 ]

In healthcare, qualitative research is widely used to understand patterns of health behaviors, describe lived experiences, develop behavioral theories, explore healthcare needs, and design interventions.[ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Because of its ample applications in healthcare, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of health research studies undertaken using qualitative methodology.[ 4 , 5 ] This article discusses qualitative research methods, their significance, and applicability in the arena of healthcare.

Qualitative Research

Diverse academic and non-academic disciplines utilize qualitative research as a method of inquiry to understand human behavior and experiences.[ 6 , 7 ] According to Munhall, “Qualitative research involves broadly stated questions about human experiences and realities, studied through sustained contact with the individual in their natural environments and producing rich, descriptive data that will help us to understand those individual's experiences.”[ 8 ]

Significance of Qualitative Research

The qualitative method of inquiry examines the 'how' and 'why' of decision making, rather than the 'when,' 'what,' and 'where.'[ 7 ] Unlike quantitative methods, the objective of qualitative inquiry is to explore, narrate, and explain the phenomena and make sense of the complex reality. Health interventions, explanatory health models, and medical-social theories could be developed as an outcome of qualitative research.[ 9 ] Understanding the richness and complexity of human behavior is the crux of qualitative research.

Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative Research

The quantitative and qualitative forms of inquiry vary based on their underlying objectives. They are in no way opposed to each other; instead, these two methods are like two sides of a coin. The critical differences between quantitative and qualitative research are summarized in Table 1 .[ 1 , 10 , 11 ]

Differences between quantitative and qualitative research

Qualitative Research Questions and Purpose Statements

Qualitative questions are exploratory and are open-ended. A well-formulated study question forms the basis for developing a protocol, guides the selection of design, and data collection methods. Qualitative research questions generally involve two parts, a central question and related subquestions. The central question is directed towards the primary phenomenon under study, whereas the subquestions explore the subareas of focus. It is advised not to have more than five to seven subquestions. A commonly used framework for designing a qualitative research question is the 'PCO framework' wherein, P stands for the population under study, C stands for the context of exploration, and O stands for the outcome/s of interest.[ 12 ] The PCO framework guides researchers in crafting a focused study question.

Example: In the question, “What are the experiences of mothers on parenting children with Thalassemia?”, the population is “mothers of children with Thalassemia,” the context is “parenting children with Thalassemia,” and the outcome of interest is “experiences.”

The purpose statement specifies the broad focus of the study, identifies the approach, and provides direction for the overall goal of the study. The major components of a purpose statement include the central phenomenon under investigation, the study design and the population of interest. Qualitative research does not require a-priori hypothesis.[ 13 , 14 , 15 ]

Example: Borimnejad et al . undertook a qualitative research on the lived experiences of women suffering from vitiligo. The purpose of this study was, “to explore lived experiences of women suffering from vitiligo using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach.” [ 16 ]

Review of the Literature

In quantitative research, the researchers do an extensive review of scientific literature prior to the commencement of the study. However, in qualitative research, only a minimal literature search is conducted at the beginning of the study. This is to ensure that the researcher is not influenced by the existing understanding of the phenomenon under the study. The minimal literature review will help the researchers to avoid the conceptual pollution of the phenomenon being studied. Nonetheless, an extensive review of the literature is conducted after data collection and analysis.[ 15 ]

Reflexivity

Reflexivity refers to critical self-appraisal about one's own biases, values, preferences, and preconceptions about the phenomenon under investigation. Maintaining a reflexive diary/journal is a widely recognized way to foster reflexivity. According to Creswell, “Reflexivity increases the credibility of the study by enhancing more neutral interpretations.”[ 7 ]

Types of Qualitative Research Designs

The qualitative research approach encompasses a wide array of research designs. The words such as types, traditions, designs, strategies of inquiry, varieties, and methods are used interchangeably. The major types of qualitative research designs are narrative research, phenomenological research, grounded theory research, ethnographic research, historical research, and case study research.[ 1 , 7 , 10 ]

Narrative research

Narrative research focuses on exploring the life of an individual and is ideally suited to tell the stories of individual experiences.[ 17 ] The purpose of narrative research is to utilize 'story telling' as a method in communicating an individual's experience to a larger audience.[ 18 ] The roots of narrative inquiry extend to humanities including anthropology, literature, psychology, education, history, and sociology. Narrative research encompasses the study of individual experiences and learning the significance of those experiences. The data collection procedures include mainly interviews, field notes, letters, photographs, diaries, and documents collected from one or more individuals. Data analysis involves the analysis of the stories or experiences through “re-storying of stories” and developing themes usually in chronological order of events. Rolls and Payne argued that narrative research is a valuable approach in health care research, to gain deeper insight into patient's experiences.[ 19 ]

Example: Karlsson et al . undertook a narrative inquiry to “explore how people with Alzheimer's disease present their life story.” Data were collected from nine participants. They were asked to describe about their life experiences from childhood to adulthood, then to current life and their views about the future life. [ 20 ]

Phenomenological research

Phenomenology is a philosophical tradition developed by German philosopher Edmond Husserl. His student Martin Heidegger did further developments in this methodology. It defines the 'essence' of individual's experiences regarding a certain phenomenon.[ 1 ] The methodology has its origin from philosophy, psychology, and education. The purpose of qualitative research is to understand the people's everyday life experiences and reduce it into the central meaning or the 'essence of the experience'.[ 21 , 22 ] The unit of analysis of phenomenology is the individuals who have had similar experiences of the phenomenon. Interviews with individuals are mainly considered for the data collection, though, documents and observations are also useful. Data analysis includes identification of significant meaning elements, textural description (what was experienced), structural description (how was it experienced), and description of 'essence' of experience.[ 1 , 7 , 21 ] The phenomenological approach is further divided into descriptive and interpretive phenomenology. Descriptive phenomenology focuses on the understanding of the essence of experiences and is best suited in situations that need to describe the lived phenomenon. Hermeneutic phenomenology or Interpretive phenomenology moves beyond the description to uncover the meanings that are not explicitly evident. The researcher tries to interpret the phenomenon, based on their judgment rather than just describing it.[ 7 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]

Example: A phenomenological study conducted by Cornelio et al . aimed at describing the lived experiences of mothers in parenting children with leukemia. Data from ten mothers were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using Husserl's method of phenomenology. Themes such as “pivotal moment in life”, “the experience of being with a seriously ill child”, “having to keep distance with the relatives”, “overcoming the financial and social commitments”, “responding to challenges”, “experience of faith as being key to survival”, “health concerns of the present and future”, and “optimism” were derived. The researchers reported the essence of the study as “chronic illness such as leukemia in children results in a negative impact on the child and on the mother.” [ 25 ]

Grounded Theory Research

Grounded theory has its base in sociology and propagated by two sociologists, Barney Glaser, and Anselm Strauss.[ 26 ] The primary purpose of grounded theory is to discover or generate theory in the context of the social process being studied. The major difference between grounded theory and other approaches lies in its emphasis on theory generation and development. The name grounded theory comes from its ability to induce a theory grounded in the reality of study participants.[ 7 , 27 ] Data collection in grounded theory research involves recording interviews from many individuals until data saturation. Constant comparative analysis, theoretical sampling, theoretical coding, and theoretical saturation are unique features of grounded theory research.[ 26 , 27 , 28 ] Data analysis includes analyzing data through 'open coding,' 'axial coding,' and 'selective coding.'[ 1 , 7 ] Open coding is the first level of abstraction, and it refers to the creation of a broad initial range of categories, axial coding is the procedure of understanding connections between the open codes, whereas selective coding relates to the process of connecting the axial codes to formulate a theory.[ 1 , 7 ] Results of the grounded theory analysis are supplemented with a visual representation of major constructs usually in the form of flow charts or framework diagrams. Quotations from the participants are used in a supportive capacity to substantiate the findings. Strauss and Corbin highlights that “the value of the grounded theory lies not only in its ability to generate a theory but also to ground that theory in the data.”[ 27 ]

Example: Williams et al . conducted a grounded theory research to explore the nature of relationship between the sense of self and the eating disorders. Data were collected form 11 women with a lifetime history of Anorexia Nervosa and were analyzed using the grounded theory methodology. Analysis led to the development of a theoretical framework on the nature of the relationship between the self and Anorexia Nervosa. [ 29 ]

Ethnographic research

Ethnography has its base in anthropology, where the anthropologists used it for understanding the culture-specific knowledge and behaviors. In health sciences research, ethnography focuses on narrating and interpreting the health behaviors of a culture-sharing group. 'Culture-sharing group' in an ethnography represents any 'group of people who share common meanings, customs or experiences.' In health research, it could be a group of physicians working in rural care, a group of medical students, or it could be a group of patients who receive home-based rehabilitation. To understand the cultural patterns, researchers primarily observe the individuals or group of individuals for a prolonged period of time.[ 1 , 7 , 30 ] The scope of ethnography can be broad or narrow depending on the aim. The study of more general cultural groups is termed as macro-ethnography, whereas micro-ethnography focuses on more narrowly defined cultures. Ethnography is usually conducted in a single setting. Ethnographers collect data using a variety of methods such as observation, interviews, audio-video records, and document reviews. A written report includes a detailed description of the culture sharing group with emic and etic perspectives. When the researcher reports the views of the participants it is called emic perspectives and when the researcher reports his or her views about the culture, the term is called etic.[ 7 ]

Example: The aim of the ethnographic study by LeBaron et al . was to explore the barriers to opioid availability and cancer pain management in India. The researchers collected data from fifty-nine participants using in-depth semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document review. The researchers identified significant barriers by open coding and thematic analysis of the formal interview. [ 31 ]

Historical research

Historical research is the “systematic collection, critical evaluation, and interpretation of historical evidence”.[ 1 ] The purpose of historical research is to gain insights from the past and involves interpreting past events in the light of the present. The data for historical research are usually collected from primary and secondary sources. The primary source mainly includes diaries, first hand information, and writings. The secondary sources are textbooks, newspapers, second or third-hand accounts of historical events and medical/legal documents. The data gathered from these various sources are synthesized and reported as biographical narratives or developmental perspectives in chronological order. The ideas are interpreted in terms of the historical context and significance. The written report describes 'what happened', 'how it happened', 'why it happened', and its significance and implications to current clinical practice.[ 1 , 10 ]

Example: Lubold (2019) analyzed the breastfeeding trends in three countries (Sweden, Ireland, and the United States) using a historical qualitative method. Through analysis of historical data, the researcher found that strong family policies, adherence to international recommendations and adoption of baby-friendly hospital initiative could greatly enhance the breastfeeding rates. [ 32 ]

Case study research

Case study research focuses on the description and in-depth analysis of the case(s) or issues illustrated by the case(s). The design has its origin from psychology, law, and medicine. Case studies are best suited for the understanding of case(s), thus reducing the unit of analysis into studying an event, a program, an activity or an illness. Observations, one to one interviews, artifacts, and documents are used for collecting the data, and the analysis is done through the description of the case. From this, themes and cross-case themes are derived. A written case study report includes a detailed description of one or more cases.[ 7 , 10 ]

Example: Perceptions of poststroke sexuality in a woman of childbearing age was explored using a qualitative case study approach by Beal and Millenbrunch. Semi structured interview was conducted with a 36- year mother of two children with a history of Acute ischemic stroke. The data were analyzed using an inductive approach. The authors concluded that “stroke during childbearing years may affect a woman's perception of herself as a sexual being and her ability to carry out gender roles”. [ 33 ]

Sampling in Qualitative Research

Qualitative researchers widely use non-probability sampling techniques such as purposive sampling, convenience sampling, quota sampling, snowball sampling, homogeneous sampling, maximum variation sampling, extreme (deviant) case sampling, typical case sampling, and intensity sampling. The selection of a sampling technique depends on the nature and needs of the study.[ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ] The four widely used sampling techniques are convenience sampling, purposive sampling, snowball sampling, and intensity sampling.

Convenience sampling

It is otherwise called accidental sampling, where the researchers collect data from the subjects who are selected based on accessibility, geographical proximity, ease, speed, and or low cost.[ 34 ] Convenience sampling offers a significant benefit of convenience but often accompanies the issues of sample representation.

Purposive sampling

Purposive or purposeful sampling is a widely used sampling technique.[ 35 ] It involves identifying a population based on already established sampling criteria and then selecting subjects who fulfill that criteria to increase the credibility. However, choosing information-rich cases is the key to determine the power and logic of purposive sampling in a qualitative study.[ 1 ]

Snowball sampling

The method is also known as 'chain referral sampling' or 'network sampling.' The sampling starts by having a few initial participants, and the researcher relies on these early participants to identify additional study participants. It is best adopted when the researcher wishes to study the stigmatized group, or in cases, where findings of participants are likely to be difficult by ordinary means. Respondent ridden sampling is an improvised version of snowball sampling used to find out the participant from a hard-to-find or hard-to-study population.[ 37 , 38 ]

Intensity sampling

The process of identifying information-rich cases that manifest the phenomenon of interest is referred to as intensity sampling. It requires prior information, and considerable judgment about the phenomenon of interest and the researcher should do some preliminary investigations to determine the nature of the variation. Intensity sampling will be done once the researcher identifies the variation across the cases (extreme, average and intense) and picks the intense cases from them.[ 40 ]

Deciding the Sample Size

A-priori sample size calculation is not undertaken in the case of qualitative research. Researchers collect the data from as many participants as possible until they reach the point of data saturation. Data saturation or the point of redundancy is the stage where the researcher no longer sees or hears any new information. Data saturation gives the idea that the researcher has captured all possible information about the phenomenon of interest. Since no further information is being uncovered as redundancy is achieved, at this point the data collection can be stopped. The objective here is to get an overall picture of the chronicle of the phenomenon under the study rather than generalization.[ 1 , 7 , 41 ]

Data Collection in Qualitative Research

The various strategies used for data collection in qualitative research includes in-depth interviews (individual or group), focus group discussions (FGDs), participant observation, narrative life history, document analysis, audio materials, videos or video footage, text analysis, and simple observation. Among all these, the three popular methods are the FGDs, one to one in-depth interviews and the participant observation.

FGDs are useful in eliciting data from a group of individuals. They are normally built around a specific topic and are considered as the best approach to gather data on an entire range of responses to a topic.[ 42 Group size in an FGD ranges from 6 to 12. Depending upon the nature of participants, FGDs could be homogeneous or heterogeneous.[ 1 , 14 ] One to one in-depth interviews are best suited to obtain individuals' life histories, lived experiences, perceptions, and views, particularly while exporting topics of sensitive nature. In-depth interviews can be structured, unstructured, or semi-structured. However, semi-structured interviews are widely used in qualitative research. Participant observations are suitable for gathering data regarding naturally occurring behaviors.[ 1 ]

Data Analysis in Qualitative Research

Various strategies are employed by researchers to analyze data in qualitative research. Data analytic strategies differ according to the type of inquiry. A general content analysis approach is described herewith. Data analysis begins by transcription of the interview data. The researcher carefully reads data and gets a sense of the whole. Once the researcher is familiarized with the data, the researcher strives to identify small meaning units called the 'codes.' The codes are then grouped based on their shared concepts to form the primary categories. Based on the relationship between the primary categories, they are then clustered into secondary categories. The next step involves the identification of themes and interpretation to make meaning out of data. In the results section of the manuscript, the researcher describes the key findings/themes that emerged. The themes can be supported by participants' quotes. The analytical framework used should be explained in sufficient detail, and the analytic framework must be well referenced. The study findings are usually represented in a schematic form for better conceptualization.[ 1 , 7 ] Even though the overall analytical process remains the same across different qualitative designs, each design such as phenomenology, ethnography, and grounded theory has design specific analytical procedures, the details of which are out of the scope of this article.

Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS)

Until recently, qualitative analysis was done either manually or with the help of a spreadsheet application. Currently, there are various software programs available which aid researchers to manage qualitative data. CAQDAS is basically data management tools and cannot analyze the qualitative data as it lacks the ability to think, reflect, and conceptualize. Nonetheless, CAQDAS helps researchers to manage, shape, and make sense of unstructured information. Open Code, MAXQDA, NVivo, Atlas.ti, and Hyper Research are some of the widely used qualitative data analysis software.[ 14 , 43 ]

Reporting Guidelines

Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) is the widely used reporting guideline for qualitative research. This 32-item checklist assists researchers in reporting all the major aspects related to the study. The three major domains of COREQ are the 'research team and reflexivity', 'study design', and 'analysis and findings'.[ 44 , 45 ]

Critical Appraisal of Qualitative Research

Various scales are available to critical appraisal of qualitative research. The widely used one is the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) Qualitative Checklist developed by CASP network, UK. This 10-item checklist evaluates the quality of the study under areas such as aims, methodology, research design, ethical considerations, data collection, data analysis, and findings.[ 46 ]

Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research

A qualitative study must be undertaken by grounding it in the principles of bioethics such as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. Protecting the participants is of utmost importance, and the greatest care has to be taken while collecting data from a vulnerable research population. The researcher must respect individuals, families, and communities and must make sure that the participants are not identifiable by their quotations that the researchers include when publishing the data. Consent for audio/video recordings must be obtained. Approval to be in FGDs must be obtained from the participants. Researchers must ensure the confidentiality and anonymity of the transcripts/audio-video records/photographs/other data collected as a part of the study. The researchers must confirm their role as advocates and proceed in the best interest of all participants.[ 42 , 47 , 48 ]

Rigor in Qualitative Research

The demonstration of rigor or quality in the conduct of the study is essential for every research method. However, the criteria used to evaluate the rigor of quantitative studies are not be appropriate for qualitative methods. Lincoln and Guba (1985) first outlined the criteria for evaluating the qualitative research often referred to as “standards of trustworthiness of qualitative research”.[ 49 ] The four components of the criteria are credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

Credibility refers to confidence in the 'truth value' of the data and its interpretation. It is used to establish that the findings are true, credible and believable. Credibility is similar to the internal validity in quantitative research.[ 1 , 50 , 51 ] The second criterion to establish the trustworthiness of the qualitative research is transferability, Transferability refers to the degree to which the qualitative results are applicability to other settings, population or contexts. This is analogous to the external validity in quantitative research.[ 1 , 50 , 51 ] Lincoln and Guba recommend authors provide enough details so that the users will be able to evaluate the applicability of data in other contexts.[ 49 ] The criterion of dependability refers to the assumption of repeatability or replicability of the study findings and is similar to that of reliability in quantitative research. The dependability question is 'Whether the study findings be repeated of the study is replicated with the same (similar) cohort of participants, data coders, and context?'[ 1 , 50 , 51 ] Confirmability, the fourth criteria is analogous to the objectivity of the study and refers the degree to which the study findings could be confirmed or corroborated by others. To ensure confirmability the data should directly reflect the participants' experiences and not the bias, motivations, or imaginations of the inquirer.[ 1 , 50 , 51 ] Qualitative researchers should ensure that the study is conducted with enough rigor and should report the measures undertaken to enhance the trustworthiness of the study.

Conclusions

Qualitative research studies are being widely acknowledged and recognized in health care practice. This overview illustrates various qualitative methods and shows how these methods can be used to generate evidence that informs clinical practice. Qualitative research helps to understand the patterns of health behaviors, describe illness experiences, design health interventions, and develop healthcare theories. The ultimate strength of the qualitative research approach lies in the richness of the data and the descriptions and depth of exploration it makes. Hence, qualitative methods are considered as the most humanistic and person-centered way of discovering and uncovering thoughts and actions of human beings.

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57+ Best Health and Social Care Dissertation Topics in 2023

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Best Health and Social Care Dissertation Topics

If you are looking level 5 diploma in health and social care research project ideas below topics list give you the perfect idea for your required topics.

• Depression Health: Society is the biggest force that leads to the vehicle of depression among people of different age groups.
• Mitigation of diseases: How does society play the best role in the mitigation of diseases from the life of an orphan child by adopting them for medical expenditure?
• Health-Related Skills: Requirement of health-related skills for the people of society to show their social care towards the marginal sections of society.
• Health Problems and nurse role: How a nurse can aware of the people of society towards the different health problems and precautions related to them?
• Health Care Facilities: How people from lower-strata and marginal sections of society can be given the best health care facilities with the contribution of society?
• Depression Health Care: How to improve the condition of a person going through depression by providing him or her social support and care?
• Health Sector related to depression: What are the different aspects that fall under social care in the health sector related to depression?
• Health-related death: Improvement in the scenario of health-related death in developing countries through social care.
• Nurse role in providing health facilities: How nurses can play a significant role by providing health facilities to needy people free of cost?
• Nursing ethics suggest towards health: What does nursing ethics suggest towards the health and social care of people in society?
• Health Facilities for Old Age: Things that hinder the path of society in providing health-care facilities to needy people in old-age homes?
• Nursing care for old Age: How is the idea of part-time working in Orphanage-houses and old-age homes for nursing?
• Nursing profession: Social care is a vital part of the nursing profession as per its ethics.
• Care towards orphan children: Why it is important to make the adoption law easy to help society in showing their care towards orphan children?
• Social care importance in the health sector: Importance of social care in the health sector and how to enhance its level with law and policies?
• An analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of different methods of managing chronic pain
• The role of community-based organizations in addressing health disparities
• An exploration of the use of telehealth in rural areas
• An analysis of the impact of social media on body image and disordered eating among young adults
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of different approaches to addiction treatment
• An exploration of the challenges and successes of implementing electronic health records in healthcare organizations
• An analysis of the impact of poverty on health outcomes
• A study of the effectiveness of interventions to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness
• An exploration of the challenges and successes of implementing health promotion programs in low-income communities
• A study of the relationship between social support and health outcomes in older adults
• An analysis of the impact of social determinants of health on cardiovascular disease risk
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of different approaches to managing obesity
• An exploration of the use of mindfulness-based therapies for anxiety and depression
• A study of the impact of workplace wellness programs on employee health and productivity
• An analysis of the role of cultural competence in healthcare delivery
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of different approaches to managing diabetes
• An exploration of the impact of social support on cancer outcomes
• A study of the effectiveness of interventions to reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities
• An analysis of the impact of social media on the spread of misinformation about health
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of different approaches to managing hypertension
• An exploration of the challenges and successes of implementing palliative care in healthcare organizations
• A study of the impact of social support on the health of individuals with chronic illnesses
• An analysis of the impact of socioeconomic status on access to healthcare
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of different approaches to managing chronic fatigue syndrome
• An exploration of the impact of stigma on the mental health of LGBTQ+ individuals
• A study of the effectiveness of interventions to reduce health disparities among low-income communities
• An analysis of the role of community health workers in addressing health disparities
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of different approaches to managing rheumatoid arthritis
• An exploration of the impact of social support on the health of individuals with mental illnesses
• A study of the effectiveness of interventions to reduce health disparities among indigenous populations
• An analysis of the impact of social determinants of health on mental health outcomes
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of different approaches to managing asthma
• An exploration of the impact of stigma on the mental health of individuals with substance use disorders
• A study of the effectiveness of interventions to reduce health disparities among immigrants
• An analysis of the impact of social media on the spread of misinformation about vaccines
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of different approaches to managing multiple sclerosis
• An exploration of the impact of social support on the health of individuals with disabilities
• A study of the effectiveness of interventions to reduce health disparities among refugees
• An analysis of the impact of social determinants of health on infant mortality rates

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Research Programme for Social Care

The NIHR Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC) call is a bi-annual competition specifically for social care proposals. 

The aim of RPSC is to fund research that generates evidence to increase the effectiveness of social care services, provides value for money and benefits people who need or use social care services, and carers. Research will cover both adults and children's social care.

RPSC replaced NIHR's Research for Social Care call (RfSC) in September 2023. The final RfSC call was Call 7. For further information about this, please see the relevant call documents .

Latest funding opportunities for Research Programme for Social Care

Decarbonising the health and social care system Technology-Enabled Social Care Highlight Notice

All social care funding opportunities

The Research Programme for Social Care encourages applications from researchers from all stages of their careers, and includes a sub stream for early career researchers as well as funding for capacity building. 

Proposals should demonstrate appropriate research expertise, and teams should have a track record of relevant published research.

RPSC invites applications from higher education institutions, charities, local authorities/governments and relevant third sector organisations in all four nations of the UK.

What do we fund?

RPSC funds research that generates evidence to improve, expand and strengthen the way social care is provided for users of care services, carers, the social care workforce, and the public across the UK. Please  read the full scope for further details.

How long and how much?

The amount awarded and the length of the funding period depends on the nature of the proposed work. Strong justification for the research duration and funding requested is required and will be considered by the reviewing committee.

RPSC also offers opportunities for early career researchers to apply for applications up to £250,000, providing they are supported by an appropriate team which is suitably resourced. These applications will be reviewed by the assessing committee but will not be in direct competition with larger awards or those from non-early career researchers.

As part of NIHR's drive to develop research capacity, RPSC is offering the opportunity to develop and advance social care research capacity building. Applicants to RPSC can include funding for research capacity development, across all stages of the academic career pathway (i.e., from internships to Masters to PhD to post-doctoral), As a general rule, it is anticipated that 10% to 20% of the overall project programme grant budget should be spent on capacity building within the grant, however each request will be reviewed on its merits. More information can be found in the capacity building guidance .

For more information, see the stage 1 finance guidance .

When is funding available?

RPSC has two researcher-led calls per year and also operates commissioned calls on priority highlight topics. See the dates for our funding competitions .

How to apply

All RPSC calls typically use a two stage application process. Please see the  applicant guidance for stage 1  and  application guidance for stage 2 to find out more.

Applicants considering submitting a stage 1 application may wish to submit an outline of their proposal for guidance before official submission. This can be done using the pre-submission form . This is not mandatory and purely aimed at helping potential applicants to engage with the requirements of the call (e.g. eligibility and remit).

Research proposals are submitted to RPSC online through the Research Management System. We supply Word document versions of the online application  Stage 1 form and Stage 2 form , to help researchers prepare their proposal ahead of submission.

Advice and support is available from the NIHR Research Support Service   to develop your research proposal.

If you are applying as a Local Authority, you can find out more information on our Local Authorities page .

If you are applying as a Charity, you can find out more information on our Charities page.

What we fund

Applications through the Research Programme for Social Care should have:

• A clear pathway to social care benefit that could be immediate or over a longer-term
• A strong link with people who need or use social care, carers and organisations which provide social care services or other relevant groups
• An appropriate team, likely consisting of social care researchers, members of the social care workforce, carers, methodologists and people who use social care, reflecting the nature of the application

We are aware that social care is broad. If you are unsure as to whether a topic is within scope for the programme, please see the call specification ,  contact the team or submit a pre-submission form . We also suggest consulting our  logic model,  to understand the intended outcomes of the programme, and consider how your topic links to this.

Our programme director

Professor Martin Knapp  is Director of the Research Programme for Social Care. 

Our funding committee

Professor Claire   Surr   is Chair of the   Research Programme for Social Care funding committee.

RPSC is a UK-wide programme open to applicants in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Applications are reviewed by a committee comprising social care experts, methodologists, public and practitioner members.

Committee members review all stage 1 and stage 2 applications and make funding recommendations based on the quality of applications, with support from expert peer reviewers.

The committee recommends projects for funding to the Department of Health and Social Care, which approves the projects to be funded.

Members of NIHR committees are required to declare any interests which conflict, or may be considered to conflict, with NIHR business, or may be perceived as influencing decisions made in the course of their work within NIHR programmes. All members are asked to complete the Register of Interest form (annually), which is intended to capture long term predictable interests that could be perceived to lead to conflicts of interest. These and other interests are judged on a case by case basis at individual meetings.

View our current  funding committee A and funding committee B .

NIHR registry of interests

Interested in joining one of our committees? View our committee vacancies .

We offer a wide variety of assistance during all stages of the research process. If in doubt, please get in touch. 

If you would like the team to comment briefly on your research plan please complete the presubmission form . If you have a query not answered in the above documents, please check the FAQs ,

Tel: 020 8843 8057 Email: [email protected] Our operating hours are 9am to 5pm.

For support to develop your research proposal contact the  NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Social Care.  The RSS Specialist Centre works nationally to provide free and tailored advice to social care researchers of all levels and experience, offering a broad range of methods expertise and research support, including expert advice on public involvement and developing and delivering inclusive research that incorporates the voice of service users, carers and practitioners.  

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We have 90 health and social care PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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health and social care PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Self-funded phds in health and social care: social work and social care, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Self-funded PhDs in Health and Social Care: Allied Health Professions

Self-funded phds in health and social care: nursing and midwifery, intelligent proxies to support health and social care for older adults., optimising technology-related medication management in home care settings for older adults using a mixed-methods approach, phd (school of social sciences) doctorate.

The PhD opportunities on this programme do not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

PhD Research Programme

PhD Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Responsible AI for Health and Social Care

Reframing critical and socially engaged arts practices from a creative health / health humanities perspective, school of social policy, sociology and social sciences phds, funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

Social Sciences Research Programme

Social Sciences Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Reviewing and optimising the use of electronic prescribing systems to improve medicine safety in integrated care systems

Developing and deploying ai for elderly social care - opportunities and challenges from multi-stakeholder perspective, transforming lives phd scholarship, sheffield hallam university - developing an exercise-based lifestyle intervention for people with the rare genetic condition, vascular ehlers-danlos syndrome., competition funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

The nexus between climate change, extreme air pollution events and public health – Towards a holistic approach

Applied dementia studies (phd, faculty of health studies), professional doctorate of health (dhealth), professional doctorate.

A professional doctorate combines academic research with professional and vocational practice and reflection. The qualification is equivalent to a PhD, but usually involves more formal teaching and training in addition to producing an original thesis. Applicants are often more experienced professionals seeking to advance their careers or transmit practical knowledge to an academic setting. Many study part-time alongside their existing roles.

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Health and social care research projects for educational purposes

As the lockdown eases, we want to update students, supervisors and higher education institutions (HEIs) on our current position on student research and ethics review.

Back in March the HRA and devolved administrations announced we had decided to stop reviewing applications for individual undergraduate and master’s student projects until further notice while we prioritised the urgent review of COVID-19 studies. This was also due to the significant pressure on the NHS/HSC, limiting its ability to participate in research studies unrelated to COVID-19. Suspending the review of student research also allowed research ethics committees to focus on COVID-19 studies.

Although the number of new COVID-19 studies has reduced, pressures on the NHS remain. As a result, our existing position of not reviewing applications for individual undergraduate and master’s student projects will remain in place. This means that any student project below PhD level requiring research approval will not be able to proceed. Any students with approved studies are reminded to check with the relevant NHS/HSC organisations locally about whether or not their projects may continue.

We aim to publish more information about review of student research soon.

You can find more information on our current position on our student research webpage .

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• Education & Admissions

Four learners chosen as Columbus-Athens Schweitzer Fellows to address social determinants of health

Author: Kelli Trinoskey

• College Updates

On average, that’s almost four hours a week. Four chosen learners at The Ohio State University College of Medicine  will partner with an existing community agency in the Columbus area, have direct client contact and receive both an academic and a community-based mentor. The fellows are: 

• Ankit Annapareddy, who’s partnering with Franklin County Public Health and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
• Zaynah Awethe and Salma Shire, who are partnering with Somali Community Link
• Gabe Lee, who’s partnering with Columbus Free Clinic and the Rainbow Clinic 

Ankit Annapareddy, MD Class of 2027 

Annapareddy’s community service project with Franklin County Public Health and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission aims to increase awareness of air quality on health throughout the county, and especially for populations with disparities that expose them to poorer air quality. He’ll create educational materials for communities that include local data on air quality instead of the regional data that’s currently available.

“I’ll be working with the organizations and households to implement local air quality sensors that provide personalized, public access to key information,” Annapareddy says. “I hope this enables the community to take charge of an issue with significant impacts on their health that will continue to be more pressing in the coming years.”

Zaynah Awethe, MD Class of 2027 and Salma Shire, MD Class of 2027

Awethe and Shire are partnering with the Somali Community Link and their community liaisons to understand the prevalence of skin-lightening practices. Globally, this industry is a massive multi-billion-dollar market, deeply rooted in societal pressures and colorism. Many women in our communities turn to these unregulated products, which are often imported and sold in local shops, unaware of the harmful chemicals like hydroquinone and mercury they contain.

Traditionally, this issue has been shrouded in silence, but through focus groups and community dialogues, Awethe and Shire are uncovering these risks and sparking essential conversations.

“Our initiative also focuses on prevention, particularly among younger women, addressing self-esteem and promoting healthier, more informed choices,” Awethe and Shire say. “And foster a broader community dialogue on this critical issue.”

Gabe Lee, MD Class of 2027 

Lee is partnering with the Columbus Free Clinic (CFC) and the Rainbow Clinic to support the distribution of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication that patients can take to reduce their risk of contracting HIV by over 99%. He is also working to establish a new patient navigator program to address issues with follow up and patient retention and partnering with Kaleidoscope Youth Center to deliver sexual education seminars to LGBTQIA2+ identifying youth and young adults.

Lee has been a CFC volunteer since 2020 as an undergraduate student and remains committed to providing a safe community space for individuals of any background to come to receive healthcare that is free of judgement, free of questions, and most importantly, free of cost. 

“It is a privilege to make long-term relationships with patients that frequent our clinic and be a part of their story,” Lee says. “These projects aim to bridge gaps in HIV/AIDs and PrEP care for uninsured and underinsured patients to contribute to ending the HIV epidemic.”

His work connecting patients to follow-up care and building these relationships are just some of the reasons Lee values the work he does at the clinic. 

At the fellowship’s completion, medical students possess the skills needed to address the important needs of underserved communities in the Columbus area. Fellows are also trained to become emerging professional leaders in public service.

Meet the 2024-25 Columbus-Athens Schweitzer Fellows! 

More from Ohio State

Alumni Spotlight: Ava Willoughby

Genetic Counseling Graduate Program welcomes new assistant professor

Student Spotlight: Nicole Moulas

Aging and Disabilities

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Committed to improving the health and well-being of all people across every state.

Senior Policy Associate — Coverage, Cost, and Value

NASHP is seeking a senior policy associate to help support the work of our Coverage, Cost, and Value (CCV) team, particularly focusing on prescription drug pricing as it relates to Medicaid, along with the potential for some other related work. CCV’s projects focus on supporting states in their efforts to achieve an affordable continuum of health coverage that ensures access to high-quality care by working with state officials to both facilitate enrollment in public programs and to address high and rising health costs.

About NASHP

The National Academy for State Health Policy — NASHP — is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of, by, and for state policymakers, committed to developing and advancing health policy innovations and solutions.

At NASHP, we engage state leaders to solve problems and share best practices, conduct policy analyses and research, leverage state expertise to develop model policies, disseminate information on state policies and programs, and provide technical assistance to states.

We have an immediate opening for a senior policy associate to join our growing CCV team.

Position Overview

NASHP is nationally recognized for leading work to help states address prescription drug prices through NASHP’s Center for State Rx Drug Pricing . NASHP also provides key support to state officials administering Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and state-based marketplaces. We are seeking a Senior Policy Associate to help bridge the work between prescription drug pricing and key coverage programs.

As a senior policy associate you will conduct in-depth policy and data research and analysis on emergent and evolving prescription drug pricing issues. This may include but is not necessarily limited to conducting in-depth research, data analysis on cell and gene therapies, GLP1s, etc. and state purchasing options, as well as other targeted research, writing policy briefs, blogs and fact sheets, convening and supporting learning collaboratives or networks, and staffing advisory committees, seminars, and conferences.

This is a full-time position, based in NASHP’s Washington, DC or Portland, Maine office.

Core Competencies and Requirements

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience and Master’s degree or other graduate degree in public policy, law, public health or related areas, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of and experience with the intersection of state policy and the health care market, including public and private insurance, health care cost drivers, particularly prescription drugs, and the different approaches state policymakers have and are using to support access while addressing rising and high costs for all residents
• Demonstrated understanding of state health policy and how ideas can be translated into practical policy solutions, including understanding the levers available to states to address costs, as well as health coverage financing
• Strong analytic and qualitative research skills
• Organized, detail oriented, and able to manage a complex workload comprised of multiple projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Interest in leveraging health care cost data to inform state policymaking

Primary Responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Tracking, researching, analyzing, and summarizing state and federal policy, legislation, rules, and regulations that impact state health cost policy
• Providing technical assistance to state officials and others on a variety of topics that may include drug pipeline information, the prescription drug supply chain, the model policies that NASHP has developed with state officials, policy strategy as well as implementation, and more with a focus on policies that protect access to care while seeking to lower costs
• Planning, researching, and writing blogs, briefs, reports, and other publications
• Assisting in the development of grant proposals and reports to funders
• Assisting in staffing and support of NASHP’s policy committees and participating in the planning and implementation of NASHP’s annual conference
• Representing NASHP and relevant project work at meetings and conferences
• Some travel required to states for site visits, meetings, and NASHP’s annual conference

Working at NASHP

NASHP offers a flexible work schedule. We are currently operating in a hybrid work arrangement, with two days in the office each week. We have offices in both Washington, DC and Portland, Maine.

We require all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and boosted.

Salary and Compensation

The salary range for senior policy associates is $89,261 – $114,764. Your salary and position title will be commensurate with your experience.

NASHP offers exceptional employee benefits that include:

• A 35-hour work week
• Generous paid time off, including a sabbatical benefit
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• A generous retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• A paid parental leave benefit
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transportation stipend

Interested candidates are invited to apply here .

NASHP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, in accordance with all applicable laws. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment and are committed to building a diverse workforce and leadership team. All people are encouraged and welcome to apply.

Portland, Maine Office: 2 Monument Square, Suite 910 Portland, Maine 04101

Washington, DC Office: 1233 20th St., N.W., Suite 303 Washington, DC 20036 p: (202) 903-0101 f: (202) 903-2790

Copyright © 2023, by The National Academy for State Health Policy. All rights reserved. May not be published or otherwise distributed without explicit permission | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Copyright © 2024, by The National Academy for State Health Policy. All rights reserved. May not be published or otherwise distributed without explicit permission | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

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Posted: 19-Aug-24

Location: North Andover, Massachusetts

Type: Full Time

Categories:

Required Education:

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS 

Job Description  

SYA Admissions is a high-energy, fast-paced and creative department that enrolls nearly 200 students every year to attend our schools in France, Italy and Spain. The Assistant Director of Admissions is a key member of the admissions team whose primary responsibility is student recruitment and enrollment management. The Assistant Director of Admissions is an entry-level position which reports to the Associate Director of Admissions and is based at SYA’s home office in North Andover, Massachusetts. This hybrid role requires staff to be in the office three days per week. The start date will be September 2024.

Key duties of student recruitment:  

• 8-10 weeks of domestic travel to promote SYA and recruit students. 
• Prioritize member schools, develop contacts, build itineraries of 8-10 school visits per week and deliver compelling and convincing presentations. 
• Plan logistics for travel including finding competitively priced airfare, hotels and rental cars. 
• Conduct thorough follow-up from school visits including sending thank you notes to school contacts and logging inquiries within 48 hours of the visit. 
• Manage admissions funnel and convert inquiries into enrolled students by proactively contacting inquiries and families by phone, email and in-person. 
• Plan and attend regional receptions and parent weekends at select member schools. 

Key duties of enrollment management:  

• Read applications and evaluate candidates for an assigned country and one additional country. 
• Coordinate Merit Scholarship program and select winners for your assigned country. 
• Yield admitted students to your assigned country. 
• Send enrollment/orientation communications to your assigned country.  
• Serve as department expert for your country’s visa process and assist families through this process. 
• Liaise with your country’s Resident Director to communicate the status of student enrollment. 
• Other duties as necessary to enhance the ability to recruit students or promote SYA’s mission. 

  Qualifications  

The ideal candidate is someone who has studied abroad, lived with a host family and has 0-3 years of relevant work experience. Bachelor’s degree (required). Other qualifications include:  

• Familiarity with U.S. independent school culture. 
• Admissions experience, marketing experience and/or sales experience (highly desirable). 
• Strong work ethic and creative problem-solving abilities. 
• Ability to establish rapport with, and command respect of, students, families, school admins and faculty. 
• Flexibility, good humor and high energy. 
• Willingness and ability to travel by air, sometimes with limited notice. 
• Ability to attend to detail with thoroughness and accuracy. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Comfortable with basic database management and reporting. 
• Proficient in MS Office, Google applications. 
• Valid driver’s license (required). 

Salary is commensurate with experience. SYA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks candidates who add to the diversity of our organization. SYA is committed to building a team that embraces and works toward equity, diversity and inclusion for our entire community, both in the United States and abroad.

To apply, please email a cover letter and résumé to Pam Eaton, Senior Admissions Operations Manager: [email protected]