Public health is the science of preventive health of the general public. A public health physician is concerned with prevention of disease by promoting vaccinations and immunizations and other public health services. This physician may have a background in epidemiology, or environmental, behavioral or occupational health. The public health physician may also direct health programs for governmental or private agencies. This specialist analyzes community health trends, and may consult with other physicians, community organizations or welfare agencies.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. The United States has 1,478 practicing public health doctors. Broken out by state, public health doctor density in Alabama is 12, in Alaska is 10, in Arizona is 23, in Arkansas is 5, in California is 282, in Colorado is 43, in Connecticut is 15, in Delaware is 3, in District of Columbia is 27, in Florida is 77, in Georgia is 98, in Hawaii is 26, in Idaho is 5, in Illinois is 37, in Indiana is 11, in Iowa is 5, in Kansas is 7, in Kentucky is 15, in Louisiana is 10, in Maine is 5, in Maryland is 124, in Massachusetts is 76, in Michigan is 44, in Minnesota is 34, in Mississippi is 20, in Missouri is 14, in Montana is 3, in Nebraska is 3, in Nevada is 6, in New Hampshire is 11, in New Jersey is 19, in New Mexico is 19, in New York is 111, in North Carolina is 48, in Ohio is 27, in Oklahoma is 9, in Oregon is 28, in Pennsylvania is 33, in Rhode Island is 2, in South Carolina is 23, in South Dakota is 1, in Tennessee is 46, in Texas is 98, in Utah is 15, in Vermont is 2, in Virginia is 65, in Washington is 68, in West Virginia is 3, in Wisconsin is 22, and in Wyoming is 1.