Public health programs in the United States have seen a sharp rise in enrollment during the continuing health crisis. As state and local public health departments struggle with reduced budgets, increasing demand and even threats to workers’ safety, a new generation is entering the field. The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health reports a 20-percent increase in applications to master’s in public health programs for the current school year. Some programs are seeing even bigger jumps. Applications to Brown University’s master’s in public health program rose 75 percent, says Annie Gjelsvik. She is a professor and director of the program. Demand was so high as the pandemic hit in the spring that Brown extended its application process by over a month. Seventy students joined the program this autumn, compared to 41 last year.