| Sumario: | Virtual reality (VR) is revolutionizing public health training by providing immersive, interactive, and experiential learning across various specialized domains. Traditional training methods often lack realism and fail to fully prepare professionals for complex health challenges. VR offers a solution by simulating real-world scenarios in epidemiology, infectious disease control, mental health, environmental health, and maternal and child healthcare, enhancing decision-making, skills development, and competency. This study employs a literature review methodology, analyzing current applications of VR in public health training, its effectiveness compared to conventional methods, and existing challenges. Various case studies and empirical research were reviewed to evaluate VR’s impact on learning outcomes, engagement levels, and preparedness in different public health domains. Key metrics such as knowledge retention, skill acquisition, and user experience were examined to assess VR's effectiveness. Findings indicate that VR-based training significantly improves learning retention, enhances problem-solving skills, and provides a safe environment for practicing complex procedures. Additionally, it fosters deeper engagement, allowing trainees to experience high-stress scenarios without real-world risks. However, barriers such as cost, accessibility, and ethical concerns remain significant challenges to widespread adoption. The implications suggest that VR has the potential to standardize and scale public health education, particularly in resource-limited settings, by offering cost-effective and repeatable training experiences. Future directions should focus on integrating artificial intelligence for adaptive learning, expanding VR applications in telemedicine, and developing policies for ethical and equitable implementation. As technology advances, VR is expected to become a fundamental component of public health workforce training and capacity building.
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