New Research Article Examines COVID-19’s Impact on Interest in MPH Programs

ASPPH is excited to share a newly published research article, "An Immediate but Fleeting Interest in MPH Programs After the Onset of COVID-19: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis." With lead authorJemar R. Bather, PhD, from the Center for Anti-racism, Social Justice & Public Health and the Department of Biostatistics at New York University School of Global Public Health and co-authored with ASPPH, the article uses an interrupted time-series analysis to examine trends in MPH applications from 2015 to 2023.

Key Insights

• Initial Surge: The report identifies a 38% overall increase in MPH application rates immediately following the COVID-19 onset, with notable increases among underrepresented groups, such as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (91%), Hispanic (60%), and Black (42%) applicants.
• Long-Term Trends: While initial interest was strong, the increase in applications was not sustained throughout the pandemic, highlighting the need for innovative recruitment strategies to maintain and grow a diverse applicant pool.
• Future Directions: The findings emphasize the importance of targeted outreach to ensure long-term engagement and diverse participation in public health education.

Read the Full Report

Learn more about the full analysis and implications.