Carolina's School of Public Health is the top-rated school of public health at a public university, according to the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Created in 1936, the school strives to improve the health and well-being of people across North Carolina and around the world by protecting against threats to health, empowering people to lead healthy lives, improving the quality of health services, and preparing leaders to advance health.

The school offers an undergraduate degree, numerous master's degrees, and several doctoral programs, and operates several divisions and centers. Areas of study include biostatistics, environmental sciences and engineering, epidemiology, health behavior and health education, health policy and administration, maternal and child health, nutrition, and public health leadership.

Faculty and students conduct research on the biological, social, behavioral, environmental, and economic factors that affect a population's health. Service and professional practice is another important part of the educational program, as faculty and students also provide technical assistance and consultation on local, state, national, and international public health issues.