The Hunter College Program in Public Health prepares public health professionals to promote health and prevent disease among residents of urban communities. The program educates students from diverse backgrounds to work within and across diverse populations living in cities. Graduates of the program go on to serve in a variety of settings in government, nonprofit organizations, businesses and communities. The program provides students with a broad multidisciplinary background in public and urban health and with specific competencies in environmental and occupational health, nutrition, community health education, epidemiology, biostatistics and health policy management.

The program prepares graduate students to work in urban communities as environmental health specialists, industrial hygienists, public health nutritionists, community health nurses and community health educators. It also prepares undergraduate students to be dietitians and health educators who can work with individuals and communities to prevent and treat health problems facing urban populations.

The students, staff and faculty reflect the diversity and richness of New York City. As a public health program within a global city, The Hunter College Program in Urban Health is committed to education, research and service that improves the health of urban populations, especially disadvantaged communities in New York City. Faculty and students in the program carry out research that create new understanding of the factors that influence the well-being of urban populations and public service projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to solving urban public health problems. Faculty and students also assist policy makers, practitioners and citizens in making informed choices about the health of New York City and other global cities.

Cities such as New York are made up of communities, whether those are defined by neighborhood, block, racial or ethnic identity group, or union members. And communities have a key role to play in public health action, research and education. Community residents and organizations identify research needs,and educate professionals about how to take action to promote health and prevent disease. Collaborative relationships with community organizations are central to the experience at Hunter College in the Urban Public Health.