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Delta Omega Honorary Society

Delta Omega is the honorary society in public health. The Society was founded in 1924 at Johns Hopkins University's School of Public Health to promote the study of public health and recognize outstanding achievement in the field. 

There are more than 100 chapters throughout the world. The national office is located at the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health in Washington, D.C. Any questions concerning Delta Omega can be sent to deltaomega@aspph.org or visit the Delta Omega web page at www.deltaomega.org. For information about the Mu Chapter at the Arnold School of Public Health, contact the Mu Chapter directly at deltaomg@mailbox.sc.edu.

The constitution and by-laws were adopted in 1927 and have been amended occasionally since then. The National Council, composed of elected officers and representatives of each chapter, meets annually. The annual meeting includes a scientific, and a business program. It is usually held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association.

Each chapter conducts the principle Delta Omega activities. The chapters elect new members each year from three groups: students who are candidates for a degree in public health, faculty members at the school of public health, and alumni actively engaged in public health work.

Election from all three groups is based on outstanding performance: scholarship in students, teaching and research in faculty, and outstanding work in the practice of public health in alumni. Election to membership in Delta Omega is intended, not only to recognize merit, but also to encourage further excellence in and devotion to public health work.

Since Delta Omega's establishment in 1924, the meaning and scope of public health has broadened tremendously. While it is still seriously concerned with problems of environmental sanitation and communicable disease control, public health action has come to embrace all aspects of health and disease in populations. These include the planning, organization and support of health promotion, disease prevention and medical care. Basic to modern public health are the social sciences as well as the natural sciences--both in the United States and internationally.

Membership in Delta Omega reflects the dedication of an individual to quality in the field of public health and to protection and advancement of the health of all people.

Full time faculty members and alumni of the Arnold School of Public Health may apply for membership or be nominated by a Delta Omega Mu Chapter member.  Graduating students who meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to apply for consideration.  Nominations, selections, and inductions are held each Spring.


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