Poverty and Health Disparities: What Can Public Health Professionals Do?

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Price ◽  
Jagdish Khubchandani ◽  
Fern J. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Health Risk Behaviors ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Health Promotion Programs

More than a tenth of the U.S. population (13% = 41 million people) is currently living in poverty. In this population, the socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental conditions have detrimental health effects such as higher rates of chronic diseases, communicable illnesses, health risk behaviors, and premature mortality. People living in poverty are also deprived of social, psychological, and political power, leading to continuation of worsening health and chronic deprivation over generations. The health of individuals living in poverty poses greater challenges from policy, practice, and research standpoints. Public health professionals are poised uniquely to be advocates for the marginalized, be the resource persons for health education, implement health promotion programs, and conduct research to understand health effects of poverty and design tailored and targeted public health interventions. In this article, we summarize the opportunities for public health practice with individuals living in poverty.

Introduction

2019 ◽  
pp. 3-6
Author(s):  
Michael R. Fraser ◽  
Jay C. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Local State ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Opioid Epidemic ◽  
Prior Work ◽  
Public Health Professionals

A public health guide to ending the opioid crisis is needed to help frame efforts to go “upstream” and address the root causes of substance use disorder and addiction. In this introduction, the editors provide an overview of the book’s three parts (Fundamentals and Frameworks; Connecting Clinical Perspectives and Public Health Practice; Moving Upstream—Prevention, Partnership, and Public Health). While a great deal of prior work has focused on the clinical aspects of the opioid epidemic, more is needed to address the community-level aspects, including addressing the root causes of addiction, and where public health professionals can intervene at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention. The case is made for increasing effort in the areas of primary prevention and policy change to support effective opioid stewardship at the local, state, and federal levels. The editors conclude by stating that communities will not “arrest” or “treat” their way out of this crisis. Instead, we have to redouble efforts to prevent addiction and address the clinical and community aspects of what drives an individual to become addicted in the first place.

Interdependence between health and peace: a call for a new paradigm

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1590-1600
Author(s):  
Izzeldin Abuelaish ◽  
Michael S Goodstadt ◽  
Rim Mouhaffel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Public Health Program ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Health and peace, and their relationships to disease/conflict/violence, are complex and multifaceted interrelated terms. Scholars have proposed a variety of definitions for health and peace. The conceptualizations of health and peace share many fundamental elements, including in their social, psychological (emotional and mental) and spiritual dimensions. We argue that health and peace are inter-dependent in a fundamental causal fashion. Health is always positively or negatively affected by conflict; peace can be directly or indirectly fostered through public health program and policy initiatives. Evidence shows that public health professionals and academics have frequently failed to recognize the inter-dependence of health and peace when conceptualizing, and addressing, issues related to health and peace. In contrast, the present article argues in support of a new paradigm for addressing public health issues related to health and peace; such a paradigm is based on the premise that health and peace are inextricably linked, requiring that they be addressed in an integrated, inter-dependent, fashion. Finally, we emphasize that fostering health and peace requires identifying and promoting positive socio-ecological influences on health, rather than limiting our focus to health deficits and obstacles at the individual or community levels.

Training Texas Public Health Professionals and Professionals-In-Training in Genomics

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1159-1165
Author(s):  
Lei-Shih Chen ◽  
Yu-Lyu Yeh ◽  
Patricia Goodson ◽  
Shixi Zhao ◽  
Eunju Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
National Level ◽  
Family Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Professionals

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of genomics training workshops for public health professionals and professionals-in-training. Design: A pre- and post-test evaluation design with 3-month follow-up. Setting and Participants: Thirteen genomics training workshops were delivered across Texas to 377 public health professionals and professionals-in-training (66.7% were ethnic minorities). Intervention: Three-hour theory-based, face-to-face genomics training workshops focusing on family health history practice were delivered. Methods: We administered surveys prior to the workshops, immediately post-workshops, and at 3-month follow-up to examine the changes in participants’ knowledge, attitudes, intention, self-efficacy, and behavior in adopting genomics into public health practice. Linear mixed modeling analyses were used to analyze the quantitative survey data. A content analysis was also conducted for qualitative survey data analysis. Results: Genomics practice significantly improved among public health professionals at 3-month follow-up ( P < .01). For all participants, knowledge, attitudes, intention, and self-efficacy scores increased significantly immediately post-workshop compared to the pre-workshop scores (all Ps < .01). Knowledge and attitudes scores at the 3-month follow-up remained significantly higher than those scores at the pre-workshop (all Ps < .01). The feedback from workshop participants was positive. Conclusion: Our genomics training workshop is an effective program that can be disseminated at a national level to establish genomic competencies among public health professionals and professionals-in-training in the United States.

scholarly journals Public health participation in alcohol licensing decisions in England: the importance of navigating “contested space”

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-335
Author(s):  
Linda Somerville ◽  
Betsy Thom ◽  
Rachel Herring
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Police Reform ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contested Spaces ◽  
Public Health Departments ◽  
Contested Space ◽  
Public Health Professionals

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of Public Health in licensing following The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act of 2011, which added ‘health bodies’ as responsible authorities in licensing; in practice, Directors of Public Health undertook this role in England. Despite this legislation facilitating the inclusion of public health in partnerships around licensing, wide variations in involvement levels by public health professionals persist. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the findings from interviews that explored the experiences of public health professionals engaging with local established partnerships around alcohol licensing. Qualitative data were collected through 21 interviews in a purposeful sample of London boroughs. These data were combined with analyses of relevant area documentation and observations of 14 licensing sub-committee meetings in one London borough over a seven-month period. Thematic analysis of all data sources was conducted to identify emerging themes. Findings This study highlighted the importance of successful navigation of the “contested space” (Hunter and Perkins, 2014) surrounding both public health practice and licensing partnerships. In some instances, contested spaces were successfully negotiated and public health departments achieved an increased level of participation within the partnership. Ultimately, improvements in engagement levels of public health teams within licensing could be achieved. Originality/value The paper explores a neglected aspect of research around partnership working and highlights the issues arising when a new partner attempts to enter an existing partnership.

scholarly journals Coaches' knowledge and awareness of spit tobacco use among youth athletes: results of a 2009 Ontario survey

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-155
Author(s):  
J.H.C. Skinner ◽  
S.J. Bobbili
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Track And Field ◽  
Hard Copy ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Spit Tobacco ◽  
Almost All

Introduction Public health professionals have become concerned that spit tobacco (ST) use among athletes is increasing. However, little is known about the issue in Canada, particularly among youth. Methods The Not to Kids Coalition and the Coaches Association of Ontario surveyed coaches regarding ST knowledge and awareness and their perceived roles as coaches in influencing ST use among their athletes. Surveys were distributed electronically to individuals who coached male and female youth aged 9 to 18 years in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and track and field, in Ontario. Results Almost all of the surveyed coaches responded correctly to questions about the health effects of ST use, and about 80% of respondents answered correctly to the question about legislation associated with ST and youth. Conclusion Most coaches are interested in receiving information about ST, particularly the health effects of ST use and how to prevent ST use among athletes. Multiple formats should be used to provide information to coaches, including both electronic and hard copy materials.

Preparing Public Health Professionals to Address Social Injustices Through Critical Service-Learning

2021 ◽  
pp. 237337992110071
Author(s):  
R. Tyler Derreth ◽  
Vanya C. Jones ◽  
Mindi B. Levin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Racial Justice ◽  
Public Health Professionals

The 2020 summer of protests for racial justice amid continued police violence coupled with the widening health disparities due to COVID-19 have made the need for social change and community-informed public health practice abundantly clear. Public health professionals need to combine public health knowledge with collaboration, communication, and reflection to address these health disparities and social injustices. Likewise, as public health educators, we need to develop curricula that train students in these complex skills in order to be effective practitioners. To do this, public health schools and programs should adopt critical service-learning as a central pedagogy in curricula because it is specifically designed to address our current crises with its combination of practice, research, and reflection that together aims for social change. As a means of institutionalizing the pedagogy, faculty can practice and advocate for resources as faculty champions of service-learning.

The personal use of Facebook by public health professionals in Canada: Implications for public health practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Weijs ◽  
Shannon Majowicz ◽  
Jason B. Coe ◽  
Serge Desmarais ◽  
Andria Jones-Bitton
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Health Practice ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Personal Use

Frameworks and guidance to support ethical public health practice

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M Viens ◽  
Caroline Vass
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Health Practice ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
And Training

Abstract This article reports and reflects on an element of a recent survey of UK public health professionals, specifically in relation to the Public Health Knowledge and Skills Framework (PHSKF) and the ethical requirements that underpin public health practice. Only 38.4% of respondents reported accessing the PHKSF and a mere 13.7% reported accessing the accompanying background paper on ethical public health practice. Given that ethical practice underpins the PHSKF, it is concerning that so few respondents are familiar with the PHSKF and one of the source documents. While issuing frameworks and guidance is one way to support public health practice, there is a further need for greater integration of skills and knowledge around ethical public health practice within education and training initiatives.

Meeting the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals Using Backward Design

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devrim Ozdemir ◽  
Pamela A. Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Academic Leaders ◽  
Backward Design ◽  
The Core ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Front End

The mission of public health programs is to prepare competent public health professionals for a dynamic workforce. One way to accomplish this mission is to design curricula that support learners’ competency attainment in today’s public health practice. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the actual steps taken to ensure that graduates meet public health core competencies. The major stages of this process are (a) backward design of the curriculum, (b) front-end analysis of the curriculum, and (c) back-end analysis of the curriculum. The backward design stage aligns a course curriculum with the core competencies. Front-end analysis provides evidence that the overall program curriculum aligns with the core competencies. The back-end analysis provides evidence of learners’ competency attainment. All three phases embed principles of continuous improvement to benefit the curriculum through a feedback-loop mechanism. Challenges, opportunities, and future directions for academic leaders of curriculum program development are discussed.

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