Utilizing Contemplative Practices With Undergraduate Students in a Community-Engaged Course on Health Disparities

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameena Batada
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Liberal Arts ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Contemplative Practices ◽  
Liberal Arts University ◽  
Contemplative Pedagogy ◽  
Personal Skills

Public health courses that provide opportunities for applied learning to develop students’ understanding of health disparities and methods for achieving health equity are of critical importance. Contemplative pedagogy can cultivate among students personal skills such as open awareness, introspection, nonjudgment, and compassion as students engage with communities across class, race, and other lines of difference. This article describes how contemplative practices are introduced and aligned with learning objectives in an undergraduate community-engaged course on health parity at a public liberal arts university in North Carolina, with the intent of contributing to the growing literature on contemplative education and how it may be appropriate in public health education. Contemplative pedagogy in this course offers opportunities for students to learn with their minds, bodies, and hearts. This article presents course context and structure, introducing contemplative practices to students, and two specific examples of contemplative activities that may help students better understand diversity and their role in sustainable health equity. The article concludes with a discussion and resources for instructors interested in contemplative pedagogy. As contemplative pedagogy gains ground in college instruction, it may also provide critical skill-building for students of public health.

Building Capacity of the Public Health Education Workforce Through Partnerships

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-59
Author(s):  
Mark Tomita
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
State University ◽  
Cd Rom ◽  
The Public ◽  
Prevention Services ◽  
The Usa

The Global Health Disparities CD-ROM Project reaffirmed the value of professional associations partnering with academic institutions to build capacity of the USA public health education workforce to meet the challenges of primary prevention services. The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) partnered with the California State University, Chico to produce a CD-ROM that would advocate for global populations that are affected by health disparities while providing primary resources for public health educators to use in programming and professional development. The CD-ROM development process is discussed

Building Capacity of the Public Health Education Workforce Through Partnerships: The Global Health Disparities CD-ROM Project

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-59
Author(s):  
Mark Tomita
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
State University ◽  
Cd Rom ◽  
Prevention Services ◽  
The Usa

The Global Health Disparities CD-ROM Project reaffirmed the value of professional associations partnering with academic institutions to build capacity of the USA public health education workforce to meet the challenges of primary prevention services. The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) partnered with the California State University, Chico to produce a CD-ROM that would advocate for global populations that are affected by health disparities while providing primary resources for public health educators to use in programming and professional development. The CD-ROM development process is discussed.

Investigating different options in course delivery – traditional vs online: is there another option?

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 230-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Hass ◽  
Mathew Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Liberal Arts ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Liberal Arts University ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Traditional Courses ◽  
Southwest Region ◽  
Southwest Usa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine students’ perceptions of online vs traditional (face-to-face) course offerings at the business school of a liberal arts university in southwest USA. The research compares perceptions of students who have been subjected to online education along with those who have not been exposed to online education and examines likelihood to take online courses. Design/methodology/approach Paper and pencil surveys were distributed in different classes in business classes at a university in southwest USA. The target group was undergraduate students. Findings The results indicate that overall, students have neutral perceptions about online courses, while favorable perceptions are strongly associated with likelihood to take online courses. Moreover, prior exposure with online courses is not a significant factor in forming favorable perceptions about online courses. Research limitations/implications The present research is limited in generalizability and the institution surveyed in the southwest region is new to online courses offering in their curriculum and not all the participants had prior experience with online courses. Originality/value Although this paper compares online education with traditional, another option for methods of education include hybrid models incorporating both. A possible third option not discussed through this research is a hybrid or blended learning course, a combination of both online and traditional courses. This opens the options for the student, as hybrid courses can be built with many different options. One includes using technology for “screencasts” or lectures online.

scholarly journals Continuing the Journey Toward Health Equity: Becoming Antiracist in Health Promotion Research and Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 665-670
Author(s):  
Jean M. Breny
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Cultural Humility ◽  
Annual Conference ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Health Education And Promotion

Health education and promotion researchers and practitioners are committed to eliminating health disparities, and the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) has continuously supported this effort through its journals, professional development, annual conferences, and advocacy. The COVID-19 pandemic elucidated inequities directly caused by racism and other social determinants of health. In order to achieve health equity, we need to become antiracist in our research, practice, and advocacy work by standing united against racist policies and practices. I invite us all to heed the call to action on these five points: place racism on the agenda, practice cultural humility, claim your privilege and eliminate microaggressions, utilize strategies that promote inclusion and equity, and embrace your inner leader and activist. Just as SOPHE as an organization pivoted its annual conference from on ground to virtual in March 2020, so can we be innovative and brave as professionals to face the hard work and dedication needed to become antiracist.

An Exploration of the Perceived Application Preparedness of Undergraduate Students Applying for Professional School

The Advisor ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley M. Prentice ◽  
Aarek W. Farmer ◽  
Wendy Gean
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Liberal Arts ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Professional School ◽  
Application Process ◽  
Liberal Arts University ◽  
Application Service ◽  
Personal Strengths ◽  
Seminar Series ◽  
Before And After

Abstract This research study investigated the perceived application preparedness of undergraduate students preparing to apply for professional school. Perceptions of preparedness were measured before and after attending a seminar series focusing on the Centralized Application Service (CAS) portal, writing a personal statement, identifying personal strengths and weaknesses, and interview skills. Data was collected from pre-and post-surveys from undergraduate students enrolled at a small, private liberal arts university in West Tennessee. Electronic surveys were distributed to undergraduate students in a pre-health arts professional program hosted by the university before and after attending the seminar series. Data from 44 students were analyzed to determine if there was a significant impact on perceived level of preparedness before and after attending the seminar series. The data revealed that students had higher perceived application preparedness after receiving formal instruction compared to having no instruction regarding the graduate application process.

scholarly journals Green Space and Health Equity: A Systematic Review on the Potential of Green Space to Reduce Health Disparities

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2563
Author(s):  
Alessandro Rigolon ◽  
Matthew H. E. M. Browning ◽  
Olivia McAnirlin ◽  
Hyunseo (Violet) Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Disadvantaged Groups

Disadvantaged groups worldwide, such as low-income and racially/ethnically minoritized people, experience worse health outcomes than more privileged groups, including wealthier and white people. Such health disparities are a major public health issue in several countries around the world. In this systematic review, we examine whether green space shows stronger associations with physical health for disadvantaged groups than for privileged groups. We hypothesize that disadvantaged groups have stronger protective effects from green space because of their greater dependency on proximate green space, as they tend to lack access to other health-promoting resources. We use the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method and search five databases (CINAHL, Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) to look for articles that examine whether socioeconomic status (SES) or race/ethnicity modify the green space-health associations. Based on this search, we identify 90 articles meeting our inclusion criteria. We find lower-SES people show more beneficial effects than affluent people, particularly when concerning public green spaces/parks rather than green land covers/greenness. Studies in Europe show stronger protective effects for lower-SES people versus higher-SES people than do studies in North America. We find no notable differences in the protective effects of green space between racial/ethnic groups. Collectively, these results suggest green space might be a tool to advance health equity and provide ways forward for urban planners, parks managers, and public health professionals to address health disparities.

Vaccine passports and health disparities: a perilous journey

2021 ◽  
pp. medethics-2021-107491
Author(s):  
Nancy S Jecker
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Racial Profiling ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Individual Liberty ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Travel Health ◽  
Domestic Use

This paper raises health equity concerns about the use of passports for domestic and international travel to certify COVID-19 vaccination. Part I argues that for international travel, health equity objections undercut arguments defending vaccine passports, which are based on tholding people responsible, protecting global health, safeguarding individual liberty and continuing current practice. Part II entertains a proposal for a scaled down vaccine passport for domestic use in countries where vaccines are widely and equitably available. It raises health equity concerns related to racial profiling and fairness to people who are vaccine cautious. Part III sets forth a proposal for a flexible pass that certifies people who have been vaccinated, tested, previously infected or granted a conscientious objection. It sets ethical guidelines for the timing and use of flexible passes that promote equity, public health education, antidiscrimination, privacy and flexibility.

scholarly journals Reducing cancer health disparities among US Latinos: a Freireian approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 368-379
Author(s):  
Yonaira M. Rivera
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Critical Consciousness ◽  
Community Empowerment ◽  
Cancer Health Disparities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Latino Communities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply Paulo Freire’s writings from Pedagogy of the Oppressed to critique current efforts to reduce cancer health disparities (CHDs) among Latinos in the USA. Design/methodology/approach Freire’s writings on oppression, critical consciousness, praxis and dialogical education are applied to recent efforts to reduce CHDs among Latinos in the USA through the use of promotores. Findings Freireian teachings can provide insight on ways to engage Latino communities in culturally sensitive conversations that respect deeply rooted beliefs, and address the political and socioeconomic inequities many continue to face. Programs must revisit Freire’s political and transformative roots to ensure efforts to reduce CHDs also promote health equity and community empowerment. Practical implications Public health initiatives should incorporate Freireian principles of dialogical education and critical consciousness in the development of cancer prevention and screening programs tailored to Latinos in the USA to ensure program longevity and success. Social implications Approaching conversations and interactions dialogically can foster critical engagement and empower collective action among Latino communities in efforts to improve their environments and reduce health disparities. Originality/value This is a multi-layered analysis of different social and structural factors influencing CHDs among Latinos in the USA, and is coupled with a historical overview of colonialism and oppression in Latin America. It culminates in suggestions on ways to improve future public health efforts that embrace Freireian approaches and promote health equity.

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